With any kind of stain, its always best to remember BLOT don’t RUB. The quicker you can get to the stain the greater chance of removal. First port of call should be to contact professionals carpet cleaners. When this is not possible the following guide should cover you in every eventuality (with household ingredients you should have in the home). Always do a test patch, different fibres i.e wool are much more delicate, and should be treated with extra care accordingly.
Key Ingredients that can help tackle most stains:
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Baking Soda
- Washing powder
Wine Stains
A wine spill on the carpet may seem like the worst stain you could get. It’s just as common as coffee spills and stains. We all know how difficult it can be to get wine out of carpets, but there are actually a few ways you can removes such a stain. This can be done with items you probably already have lying around the house.
Apply Salt
If the spill is fresh, you can get up most of it just by using paper towels or some other dry cloth to soak up the majority of the wine. Once you have dried up what you can, you should pour table salt over the spill. Be generous with the salt and let it set for an hour or so. The salt draws the liquid in, absorbing most of what is in your carpet. It won’t work very well on dry stains, so if the spill is too dry, you can add some water to make it easier for the salt to do its work. Once the salt has set for a while, you can vacuum or sweep it up.
Use Dish Soap and Peroxide
You can also use a combination of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide to get up a wine stain. Just be careful only to use this on lighter-coloured carpets. Hydrogen peroxide can slightly bleach fabrics, so you would not want to use it on any dark fabric. Mix a cup of hydrogen peroxide with a generous squirt of dish soap. This will be enough for most stains, but very large stains will need more of the same ingredients. Then put some of the solution onto a rag or cloth. Blot at the stain, never rubbing. Rubbing can push the wine deeper into the carpet and actually make it harder to get out. Spread your solution across the entire stain and let it set for a few minutes. After the solution has set, you will need to spray it all sown with cold, soapy water, then wipe it up with a cloth dipped in warm water.
It’s a lot of steps to go through, but it will be worth it to have a stain-free carpet once more. If you are worried about your cleaning solution bleaching your carpet; you can always first try a little bit on a portion of the carpet that no one will see.
If you spill paint on your carpet, you might think that you will be left with a permanent discolouration problem. But there is a way, using common items found in most household, that you can completely remove most types of paint from most kinds of carpet. Start by cleaning up whatever you can with paper towels or some other disposable cloth material. You can usually get up the bulk of the paint like this.
Paint Stains
Water-Based Paint Stains
Step 1) Blotting will take care of most of a still wet, water-based paint. If it has dried though, then you will need to use hot water and dish detergent. Mix them together and let them set on the spill for a few minutes.
Step 2) This softens the paint and makes it easier to get out. Once it has softened enough, you can use a knife or similar tool to scrape the paint off.
Step 3) This method may not make the paint soften enough for you to scrape it off completely. If that is the case, then use a hand-held steamer to work on the paint as you scrape at it.
Oil-Based Paint Stains
Step 1) Once again, blotting works well to get rid of most of the stain. If you rub at it hard though, you can push the stain deeper into the carpet, so try to avoid that.
Step 2) Make a solution of mild dish detergent and slightly warm water. You should be using one cup of water to one tablespoon of detergent.
Step 3) Start from the outside of the spill and work your way inward. Blot slowly and carefully, only working on small sections at a time.
Step 4) After the entire spill has been blotted, you should let it dry. Once that has happened, you can vacuum up the remainder of the paint.
Pet Stains
We love our pets, but they certainly can be trouble sometimes. It may seem to be a little harder to love them when they urinate on our carpets, but you don’t have to be mad at them for long. There are some relatively easy ways to we will cover a couple of the best ones right here.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
When you combine hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, you get a great combination that breaks up the crystals contained in pet urine and make it easier to just sweep the mess up. If you are dealing with a small stain- and most pet urine stains are- then you will need to use about half a cup of hydrogen peroxide and a cup of baking soda. Start by pouring the baking soda on the stain, making sure to cover all of it. Let that set for just a moment, then add in a mixture of the hydrogen peroxide and just a dash of dish soap. You can then scrub the mixture together into the carpet. Try to rub it hard enough to penetrate the stain but not so hard as to get down deep in the carpet. Let all of that sit for about 15 minutes or so. Once it has set, you can vacuum it up. If the stain is particularly bad, you may need to repeat the steps until it is gone completely.If and odour remains, seek a pet stain and odor removal specialist.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
Baking soda once again pops up as an ideal way to get rid of pet stains. Here you will be using it with vinegar. This solution is particularly good for stains that have been around a little longer that you might have missed when they first happened. Take two cups of vinegar and mix it with two cups of mildly warm water. Add in four heaped tablespoons of baking soda to your mixture and combine it all into a spray bottle. Then just spray your solution over the entirety of the stain. You can let that sit for 15 minutes or so before wiping it up.
Chewing gum is one of the most onerous substances to try to get out of carpet. It can be nearly impossible to removing conventional carpet cleaning methods, so you will have to try a different approach if you want it completely out of your carpet.Its an extremely stubborn stain to remove.
Chewing Gum
Here are a few methods that make use of common household items to make quick work of that chewing gum.
Heating the Gum
Step 1) The goal is to get the gum heated in order to make it pliable. So you will need a hair dryer and a plastic bag or glove for your hands.
Step 2) Heat the gum as much as possible with the hair dryer to make it easier to move. Gum will lose its hold when you heat it up. Only use as much heat as necessary, as using too much can burn your carpet and create unpleasant black spots.
Step 3) Use the plastic bag or glove on your hand to pull the gum out as best you can. Not all of it may come out, so you may need to use other methods for the remainder or just repeat the above steps.
Freezing the Gum
Step 1) This works in exactly the opposite way of the previous method, but the results are similar. You will want some ice, a plastic bag and a spoon or other hard item you can use to scrape with.
Step 2) Then fill your bag with some ice and rub it over the gum. You are trying to make it hard and less sticky with this method.
Step 3) Once the gum is freezing cold you should be able to scrape much of it away with your spoon or knife. You will want to work quickly to get it removed before it becomes sticky again.
Step 4) The initial freezing and scraping may not have gotten rid of all the gum, so just keep using this method until you have it all removed.
Coffee stains won’t usually come out using just regular household cleaners. You are going to have to use a different tactic if you hope to fully remove the stain from your carpet.
Coffee Stains
Step 1
Start by cleaning up as much of the spilt coffee as you can. You can use paper towels, a rag or some other absorbent material to deal with the bulk of it. Use something that is either disposable or won’t easily stain.
Step 2
Now you’re going to have to mix a solution that will handle the coffee stain on a deeper level. The blotting gets up the surface coffee, but it won’t do much for the stain itself. So you will need to mix liquid dish soap with white vinegar. Use about a tablespoon of each of these and then mix them with about two cups of warm, not hot, water.
Step 3
Next, you will have to pour some of the solution onto a cloth. Use that wetted cloth to sponge at the coffee stain. You only want to use a little bit at a time, and make sure that you are drying as you go. What you wet with the solution should start to come up quickly, so you will need to have a dry cloth handy as you work. Just keep at it until the stain is gone. If you are worried about the vinegar and dish soap harming your carpet, you can always use just plain water, but he results aren’t likely to be as effective. For coffee spills that include cream or milk the coffee, you will want to use laundry detergent with enzymes in it when you clean the stained carpet.
Vomit Stains
Vomit not only stains carpets, but it can leave behind a smell that is tough to get rid of. With these easy solutions, you will get rid of the stain and the smell. They are also as bad as removing pet urine stains. Using items most people have in their homes already, you can be rid of the vomit and have a great-looking carpet once more.
Corn Starch
The most common way to get out vomit stains, and also the most effective, is to use corn starch. You will want to start by getting rid of as much of the vomit as possible by scraping it up. You can use a spatula, trowel or other mostly flat item. Then cover the entire stain with corn starch. You can let it set in the carpet for about 15 minutes. This gives it time to absorb the vomit. Next, use a dry cloth and a dry cleaning solution. Apply the solution and blot up what you can. You probably won’t see any remaining stain after this step, but if there is anything left, you can use a mixture of white vinegar (one tablespoon), dish soap (one tablespoon) and warm water (two cups). Apply the solution, then dry everything up with a clean cloth.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Most people have hydrogen peroxide on hand to deal with cuts they want to disinfect, but it can also be a great way to get rid of tough stains. Just pour the peroxide onto the entire stain, only using enough to cover the stain. It should react with the stain by fizzing. After it has set for a few seconds, you can dry it up with a cloth. If you are worried at any of these methods will stain your carpet, you can first check out their effects by using them on a small portion of your carpet that is usually covered by furniture or out of sight.
Makeup Stains
If you use makeup, then you have probably had a brief flash of worry where you wonder what you will do if you spill makeup on the carpet. When that does happen though, you want to be prepared to getit out without damaging your carpet. Here are the best ways to deal with makeup stains on your carpet.
Makeup Removal Method one
This is sort of a catch-all method for cleaning up makeup. You may not have the right cleaning solution on hand to deal with each particular type of makeup spill. If that is the case, then you can use a dry cleaning solution like Dryel or something similar. It won’t be as effective as using something geared toward handling a specific type of make up. Start by cleaning up as much of the makeup as you can with a scraping or scooping tool. Alternatively, you can dry it up with a cloth. To deal with the remainder, spray some dry cleaning solution onto a cloth. Set the cloth down on the makeup and press it into the stain for about five minutes. You can set something on top of it to hold it in place, if you like. Then blot and rinse with cold water, finishing up by drying everything with a clean cloth.
Removing Makeup Method two
Similar to chewing gum removal make-up spills requires specific stain treatment. The steps you use with each kind are basically the same, so we will start with those. Begin by scraping up as much makeup as you can, then apply your solution to a clean cloth. Don’t soak the cloth entirely, just get it damp. Blot up what you can with the cloth, then rinse the area with water. Dry that up and finish off by vacuuming the now dry area. So here is what you will use to make your solution, depending on what kind of makeup stain you are dealing with.
Other Stains
For nail polish, use nail polish remover that is colourless. For lipstick, you can use rubbing alcohol or paint thinner. For mascara and eyeliner, you can use a mixture of one cup of water with a dash of dishwashing liquid. Finally for liquid foundation, just use hydrogen peroxide. If all else fails then consider calling in the spot and stain removal specialists.
The Best Rated Cleaning Companies in Cardiff
/in Blog /by jfrazermannCardiff is known for its historical landmarks and friendly people, but you might not know that it offers some great local services as well. There are hundreds to chose from and we haven’t got time to cover them all. So we are just going to cover the three best ones for those who want the finest local service in the area. Ratings are built upon three core factors: customer service, quality of service and value for money.
Vale Carpet Cleaning
Yes, I know this is a highly bias marketing plug…. Probably the best carpet cleaner in Cardiff reputation of providing exceptional service to all their customers. That’s why they are our top pick from Cardiff’s selections of local services. There is nothing too tough for them to tackle. They clean every type of rug and carpet, and they have been in the business for over 15 years. Their team is very experienced and friendly. Able to walk you through what your carpet needs to have done to it to look its best. They are also great at troubleshooting. Handling jobs that no one else can take and getting out stains no other cleaning service can remove. Vale carpet cleaning is who you call when no one else is up to the task or you just want the work done properly.
The Cardiff Window Cleaning Company
Our second pick is the Cardiff Window Cleaning Company not only do they clean windows, but also gutters and solar panels. They use a highly advanced purfied water system that thoroughly removes all built up dirt and grime. This cleaning methods leaves no water marks or streaks behind. Like all the best local services, their team members are trained to high standards. All work is fully insured and they are safe contractor approved, Clients don’t have anything to worry about when they hire them. They serve both domestic and commercial clients with decades of knowledge and experience.
Cardiff Complete Cleaning Services (CCS)
Coming in at third is CCS Services. They specialise in Softwashing patios and render. And have been in business over 20 years serving the local area.
The Ultimate Carpet Stain Removal Guide
/in Blog /by jfrazermannWith any kind of stain, its always best to remember BLOT don’t RUB. The quicker you can get to the stain the greater chance of removal. First port of call should be to contact professionals carpet cleaners. When this is not possible the following guide should cover you in every eventuality (with household ingredients you should have in the home). Always do a test patch, different fibres i.e wool are much more delicate, and should be treated with extra care accordingly.
Key Ingredients that can help tackle most stains:
Table of Contents
Wine Stains
A wine spill on the carpet may seem like the worst stain you could get. It’s just as common as coffee spills and stains. We all know how difficult it can be to get wine out of carpets, but there are actually a few ways you can removes such a stain. This can be done with items you probably already have lying around the house.
Apply Salt
If the spill is fresh, you can get up most of it just by using paper towels or some other dry cloth to soak up the majority of the wine. Once you have dried up what you can, you should pour table salt over the spill. Be generous with the salt and let it set for an hour or so. The salt draws the liquid in, absorbing most of what is in your carpet. It won’t work very well on dry stains, so if the spill is too dry, you can add some water to make it easier for the salt to do its work. Once the salt has set for a while, you can vacuum or sweep it up.
Use Dish Soap and Peroxide
You can also use a combination of dish soap and hydrogen peroxide to get up a wine stain. Just be careful only to use this on lighter-coloured carpets. Hydrogen peroxide can slightly bleach fabrics, so you would not want to use it on any dark fabric. Mix a cup of hydrogen peroxide with a generous squirt of dish soap. This will be enough for most stains, but very large stains will need more of the same ingredients. Then put some of the solution onto a rag or cloth. Blot at the stain, never rubbing. Rubbing can push the wine deeper into the carpet and actually make it harder to get out. Spread your solution across the entire stain and let it set for a few minutes. After the solution has set, you will need to spray it all sown with cold, soapy water, then wipe it up with a cloth dipped in warm water.
It’s a lot of steps to go through, but it will be worth it to have a stain-free carpet once more. If you are worried about your cleaning solution bleaching your carpet; you can always first try a little bit on a portion of the carpet that no one will see.
If you spill paint on your carpet, you might think that you will be left with a permanent discolouration problem. But there is a way, using common items found in most household, that you can completely remove most types of paint from most kinds of carpet. Start by cleaning up whatever you can with paper towels or some other disposable cloth material. You can usually get up the bulk of the paint like this.
Paint Stains
Water-Based Paint Stains
Step 1) Blotting will take care of most of a still wet, water-based paint. If it has dried though, then you will need to use hot water and dish detergent. Mix them together and let them set on the spill for a few minutes.
Step 2) This softens the paint and makes it easier to get out. Once it has softened enough, you can use a knife or similar tool to scrape the paint off.
Step 3) This method may not make the paint soften enough for you to scrape it off completely. If that is the case, then use a hand-held steamer to work on the paint as you scrape at it.
Oil-Based Paint Stains
Step 1) Once again, blotting works well to get rid of most of the stain. If you rub at it hard though, you can push the stain deeper into the carpet, so try to avoid that.
Step 2) Make a solution of mild dish detergent and slightly warm water. You should be using one cup of water to one tablespoon of detergent.
Step 3) Start from the outside of the spill and work your way inward. Blot slowly and carefully, only working on small sections at a time.
Step 4) After the entire spill has been blotted, you should let it dry. Once that has happened, you can vacuum up the remainder of the paint.
Pet Stains
We love our pets, but they certainly can be trouble sometimes. It may seem to be a little harder to love them when they urinate on our carpets, but you don’t have to be mad at them for long. There are some relatively easy ways to we will cover a couple of the best ones right here.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda
When you combine hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, you get a great combination that breaks up the crystals contained in pet urine and make it easier to just sweep the mess up. If you are dealing with a small stain- and most pet urine stains are- then you will need to use about half a cup of hydrogen peroxide and a cup of baking soda. Start by pouring the baking soda on the stain, making sure to cover all of it. Let that set for just a moment, then add in a mixture of the hydrogen peroxide and just a dash of dish soap. You can then scrub the mixture together into the carpet. Try to rub it hard enough to penetrate the stain but not so hard as to get down deep in the carpet. Let all of that sit for about 15 minutes or so. Once it has set, you can vacuum it up. If the stain is particularly bad, you may need to repeat the steps until it is gone completely.If and odour remains, seek a pet stain and odor removal specialist.
Vinegar and Baking Soda
Baking soda once again pops up as an ideal way to get rid of pet stains. Here you will be using it with vinegar. This solution is particularly good for stains that have been around a little longer that you might have missed when they first happened. Take two cups of vinegar and mix it with two cups of mildly warm water. Add in four heaped tablespoons of baking soda to your mixture and combine it all into a spray bottle. Then just spray your solution over the entirety of the stain. You can let that sit for 15 minutes or so before wiping it up.
Chewing gum is one of the most onerous substances to try to get out of carpet. It can be nearly impossible to removing conventional carpet cleaning methods, so you will have to try a different approach if you want it completely out of your carpet.Its an extremely stubborn stain to remove.
Chewing Gum
Here are a few methods that make use of common household items to make quick work of that chewing gum.
Heating the Gum
Step 1) The goal is to get the gum heated in order to make it pliable. So you will need a hair dryer and a plastic bag or glove for your hands.
Step 2) Heat the gum as much as possible with the hair dryer to make it easier to move. Gum will lose its hold when you heat it up. Only use as much heat as necessary, as using too much can burn your carpet and create unpleasant black spots.
Step 3) Use the plastic bag or glove on your hand to pull the gum out as best you can. Not all of it may come out, so you may need to use other methods for the remainder or just repeat the above steps.
Freezing the Gum
Step 1) This works in exactly the opposite way of the previous method, but the results are similar. You will want some ice, a plastic bag and a spoon or other hard item you can use to scrape with.
Step 2) Then fill your bag with some ice and rub it over the gum. You are trying to make it hard and less sticky with this method.
Step 3) Once the gum is freezing cold you should be able to scrape much of it away with your spoon or knife. You will want to work quickly to get it removed before it becomes sticky again.
Step 4) The initial freezing and scraping may not have gotten rid of all the gum, so just keep using this method until you have it all removed.
Coffee stains won’t usually come out using just regular household cleaners. You are going to have to use a different tactic if you hope to fully remove the stain from your carpet.
Coffee Stains
Step 1
Start by cleaning up as much of the spilt coffee as you can. You can use paper towels, a rag or some other absorbent material to deal with the bulk of it. Use something that is either disposable or won’t easily stain.
Step 2
Now you’re going to have to mix a solution that will handle the coffee stain on a deeper level. The blotting gets up the surface coffee, but it won’t do much for the stain itself. So you will need to mix liquid dish soap with white vinegar. Use about a tablespoon of each of these and then mix them with about two cups of warm, not hot, water.
Step 3
Next, you will have to pour some of the solution onto a cloth. Use that wetted cloth to sponge at the coffee stain. You only want to use a little bit at a time, and make sure that you are drying as you go. What you wet with the solution should start to come up quickly, so you will need to have a dry cloth handy as you work. Just keep at it until the stain is gone. If you are worried about the vinegar and dish soap harming your carpet, you can always use just plain water, but he results aren’t likely to be as effective. For coffee spills that include cream or milk the coffee, you will want to use laundry detergent with enzymes in it when you clean the stained carpet.
Vomit Stains
Vomit not only stains carpets, but it can leave behind a smell that is tough to get rid of. With these easy solutions, you will get rid of the stain and the smell. They are also as bad as removing pet urine stains. Using items most people have in their homes already, you can be rid of the vomit and have a great-looking carpet once more.
Corn Starch
The most common way to get out vomit stains, and also the most effective, is to use corn starch. You will want to start by getting rid of as much of the vomit as possible by scraping it up. You can use a spatula, trowel or other mostly flat item. Then cover the entire stain with corn starch. You can let it set in the carpet for about 15 minutes. This gives it time to absorb the vomit. Next, use a dry cloth and a dry cleaning solution. Apply the solution and blot up what you can. You probably won’t see any remaining stain after this step, but if there is anything left, you can use a mixture of white vinegar (one tablespoon), dish soap (one tablespoon) and warm water (two cups). Apply the solution, then dry everything up with a clean cloth.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Most people have hydrogen peroxide on hand to deal with cuts they want to disinfect, but it can also be a great way to get rid of tough stains. Just pour the peroxide onto the entire stain, only using enough to cover the stain. It should react with the stain by fizzing. After it has set for a few seconds, you can dry it up with a cloth. If you are worried at any of these methods will stain your carpet, you can first check out their effects by using them on a small portion of your carpet that is usually covered by furniture or out of sight.
Makeup Stains
If you use makeup, then you have probably had a brief flash of worry where you wonder what you will do if you spill makeup on the carpet. When that does happen though, you want to be prepared to getit out without damaging your carpet. Here are the best ways to deal with makeup stains on your carpet.
Makeup Removal Method one
This is sort of a catch-all method for cleaning up makeup. You may not have the right cleaning solution on hand to deal with each particular type of makeup spill. If that is the case, then you can use a dry cleaning solution like Dryel or something similar. It won’t be as effective as using something geared toward handling a specific type of make up. Start by cleaning up as much of the makeup as you can with a scraping or scooping tool. Alternatively, you can dry it up with a cloth. To deal with the remainder, spray some dry cleaning solution onto a cloth. Set the cloth down on the makeup and press it into the stain for about five minutes. You can set something on top of it to hold it in place, if you like. Then blot and rinse with cold water, finishing up by drying everything with a clean cloth.
Removing Makeup Method two
Similar to chewing gum removal make-up spills requires specific stain treatment. The steps you use with each kind are basically the same, so we will start with those. Begin by scraping up as much makeup as you can, then apply your solution to a clean cloth. Don’t soak the cloth entirely, just get it damp. Blot up what you can with the cloth, then rinse the area with water. Dry that up and finish off by vacuuming the now dry area. So here is what you will use to make your solution, depending on what kind of makeup stain you are dealing with.
Other Stains
For nail polish, use nail polish remover that is colourless. For lipstick, you can use rubbing alcohol or paint thinner. For mascara and eyeliner, you can use a mixture of one cup of water with a dash of dishwashing liquid. Finally for liquid foundation, just use hydrogen peroxide. If all else fails then consider calling in the spot and stain removal specialists.
How Much Do Professional Carpet Cleaning Services Cost?
/in Blog /by jfrazermannWhat does carpet cleaning cost I head you ask? Well you probably already know that professional carpet cleaning should be booked at least once a year in order to fight allergies, eliminate bacteria, and to simply keep your carpeting fresh. But you probably also wonder if such services are affordable or are a bit on the expensive side.
In this article, you will learn what the average rug cleaning price is, how it’s usually calculated by companies, and whether buying your own carpet machine is a better alternative to hiring a professional like Vale Carpet Cleaning.
Table of Contents
What’s the Average Carpet Cleaning Cost?
Your quote will mostly depend on the size, age, location (living room, hallway, bedroom) fabric (wool, suede, linen), and type (kitchen rug, car carpet, etc.) of the carpet that you wish to clean.
The type of treatment you’ve booked, such as hot water extraction (HWE), dry cleaning, and any extra services that may come with them will also be a deciding pricing factor (more on what these services are a bit later). For now, let’s look at the averages for each treatment type:
Hot water extraction cleaning: from £20 (10×10 feet room) to £65 (kitchen & car rugs); Dry carpet cleaning: same price as hot water extraction for 12×12 and 15×15 feet rooms, however individual rug treatment can get expensive (up to £65 or more); Extra services: about £10 to £30 for carpet protection sprays, insecticide control, and other similar treatments, as long as you book them alongside your main carpet service.
What Goes into Each Carpet Cleaning Method?
Now that you know roughly how much everything costs, it’s time to learn why these services cost as much as they do. Below, we will examine the products and techniques professionals (including those that work at our company) use to restore your carpeting to its former glory.
What to expect from HWE carpet cleaning?
The hot water extraction method is suitable for most types of carpets, synthetic and woollen included. Here is how a certified carpet technician will usually go about this process:
Note: However, you could handle some stains yourself, such as removing water spots from anything and everything..
What to expect from dry carpet cleaning?
Also labeled as “dry chem cleaning”, this method is suitable for delicate, non-water-resistant fabrics, such as sisal and suede. It’s also worth noting that when comparing dry cleaning to HWE, this technique does not guarantee complete stain removal as it merely refreshes the fabric and makes the spot less visible. In other words, don’t expect this to work on tougher stains like blood, pet urine, or red wine.
Here is how the method works in more detail:
Extra services companies have on offer
It’s common practice for most cleaning companies to upsell you extra services as part of your carpet treatment. The benefit of including these to your booking is that they are usually offered at a discount. So, if you have a dirty carpet that you also suspect is infested, combining both services will be more cost-efficient. Here are two high-end specialised bonus options, offered by the London-based Fantastic Carpet Cleaning Specialists:
ScotchGard treatments: the technician can treat your rug with a special spray that will help reduce wear and tear and provide long-term protection against most types of stains;
Anti-insect treatments: a pest exterminator will arrive to eliminate anything from ants and fleas to carpet beetles using efficient spray- and granule-based insecticides.
Should You Buy a Carpet Cleaning Machine Yourself?
It all boils down to how much you are willing to spend. The market is currently flooded with cheap carpet machines which, however, fare poorly when put to the test. Even if you have extra £200 or £300 to spare for a better model, you will still be unable to achieve the high-end results of end of tenancy cleaning and you will have to keep the following things in mind:
Most models are unwieldy. Unless you bought a hand-held (and less powerful) alternative, your carpet machine will weigh quite a bit and will be a pain to use on stairs;
They can also get costly. The average store-bought carpet equipment needs an abundant supply of water and carpet shampoo in order to deliver the desired result;
They are prone to malfunctions. Since you will use your machine on a regular basis, it will eventually break down and you will have to spend valuable time and money fixing it.
What Are the Advantages of Hiring a Professional?
Expert carpet cleaning services can save you lots of time that you would otherwise spend on researching the best carpet machine for your needs and budget. They also save you the expenses that come with maintaining such a machine.
Secondly, professional carpet technicians are certified and have access to top tier stain removal products and equipment. Certified technicians can safely guarantee to refresh any type of carpeting without causing discolouration, be it of Persian, Indian, Asian, Oriental, South American or any other.
Here are a few extra reasons why you should let someone else handle the cleaning for you:
What You Can Take Away from All of This
As you can see, expert carpet cleaning services are not as expensive as some would lead you to believe, as long as you don’t plan on cleaning all the rugs in your property.
As for the question whether it’s actually worth contacting a cleaning company, the answer is: “it depends”. You can always invest a bit in doing your own spring cleaning hacks too.
Sure, while small spills rarely need professional attention, annual cleaning and tougher stains, like urine or chocolate, are best left in the hands of a seasoned stain technician as they will know how to perform the procedure faster and better than you would with a carpet machine of any make.
How to Start A UK Carpet Cleaning Business – 2019
/in Blog /by jfrazermannUpdated – 2019. Starting a carpet cleaning business what do i need? Im James, I own local Cardiff based carpet cleaning company Vale Carpet Cleaning. I feel this guide will help out a lot of people who want to either add carpet cleaning to supplement their current income, or infact start a carpet cleaning business like I did. In addition it will also hopefully stop you avoiding some of the pitfalls that I fell into. And believe it or not there are many. Although this is from a UK perspective, the principles and equipment still applies wherever you may be located.
Table of Contents
Learning The Basics
I would recommend you go on a one or two-day course to pick up the basics of carpet cleaning. Be mindful that depending on what course you go on they will try and sell you their machines and their solutions (of course). You don’t need to do this, and it may be more cost effective buying your own machine and products as you go along (Although there are exceptions to this). I did the IICRC Carpet Cleaning Technician Course there are also very good courses offered by Prochem which start from £120 for a day course.
How To Clean Carpets Properly
In very brief summary. You want to follow these steps and you can’t really go wrong
Iv done a little video of the carpet cleaning basic steps:
You can also read a little more of how we clean carpets here.
Which Carpet Cleaning Machine Should I Buy?
There are three types of wet clean carpet cleaning machine (note, there are other methods of carpet cleaning such as bonnet and dry cleaning, but thats another debate altogether):
You can either start off with a second hand machine which I did, or if you have the money, buy brand new straight away. Carpet cleaning machines drop considerably in value once used, so its definitely a buyers’ market. You can half the cost most of the time by buying second hand. Truck mounts are really expensive (£15,000 plus), and a big outlay if your just starting out. so I would go with a portable machine first.
Brands such as Prochem, Craftex, Truvox are always generally great quality.
Having tried and had a number of machines here are the best choices in my opinion for a portable carpet cleaning machine:
Budget: Prochem Five Star
RRP £1,550
Pros – Lightweight, portable, rotating brush head built in. Can connect the Prochem stair tool to it. Can use for hard floors aswell as carpets.
Cons – Not really suited for commercial jobs, small tank 11.3 litres, no heater.
RRP £2,295
Pros – Large tank 26 litres, looks good, external heater option, decent vacuums.
Cons – Could do with a third vacuum for that extra lift power, PSI is low (120)
Notable alternatives are The ‘Jaguar’ machine by World of Clean, and the ‘Enforcer’ by Ashbys I have been told are up there with the best also.
RRP £2,699 (basic model)
Pros – In my opinion, this is the best portable carpet cleaning machine for your money. Looks the business (also available in black), powerful vacs, up to 800 psi. Heater option available.
Cons – Can’t think of any
Notable alternatives are The ‘Jaguar’ machine by World of Clean, and the ‘Enforcer’ by Ashbys I have been told are up there with the best also.
Which Carpet Agitation Machines Are Best?
I would probably choose the Floor Mac, as its not that much more expensive than the Sebo, plus you have a choice of brush heads, which are handy when tackling commercial carpets, the sebo duo wouldn’t be strong enough. The CRB is very expensive in my opinion.
RRP £240
Pros – Very well made (german manufactured). Great for domestic carpets.
Cons – Brushes are quite expensive to replace. Not powerful enough for commercial use. Can;t really use on stairs.
RRP £299
Pros – Lighweight, choice of detachable brush heads, can use for hard floor aswell as carpets. Can spray solution out. Can use on stairs.
Cons – Spray nozzel is very weak.
RRP £1,200
Pros – The ultimate agitation machine. Super powerful. Can also use on hard floors and be used for encapsulation cleaning.
Cons – Very expensive, heavy when compared to other options.
What Carpet Cleaning Solutions Should I Use?
As previously mentioned, the general rule of thumb is pre-sprays are alkaline and you put a rinse in the machine to extract, which is acidic. However you also could go down the route of every solution being PH neutral. These are usually known as “natural, or organic” solutions. They do a decent job. But I would opt for the alkaline pre-sray and acidic rinse, as I think it does a better job.
With so much choice in terms of cleaning chemicals, iv wittled it down to the best, which iv tried and tested, and belive me iv tried alot.
Best Pre-Sprays
The reality is you don’t need all these “specialist stain removers” as there is a stain remover for absolutly everything. Safe your money. Both these pre-sprays can be used as a “spotter” especially the M-Power, just lower the dillution, perhaps 1:4. I would only recommend the attention of one specialist stain remove which I will specify later.
I think this is the best “all rounder”. I use it on both domestic and commercial carpets. It needs to be mixed with hot water. It’s powerful enough to blast away difficult stains and heavy traffic marks. But also gentle enough to use on wool.
World of clean has a great reputation of producing their own carpet cleaning solutions. The M-Power is one of their best selling products. Not only is it eco-friendly. But it dilutes at an unbelievable 1:120. Which saves you alot of money over time.
Best Acidic Rinse
Prochem Fibre & Fabric Rinse
Have used this for years, never ever had a single issue with using it. It’s suitable for any fabric and carpet. Woolsafe approved. Also contains a odour neuraliser. Just a capful or two is all you need in the clean water tank.
Craftex Fibre Rinse
If for any reason you want an alternative to the Prochem Fibre and Fabric Rinse, then try Craftex. Products were created by a former co owner of Prochem, so it’s no wonder their products a very similar. Their solutions are slightly cheaper price too. I like this one as in my opinion the smell is a bit nicer then the Prochem, smells a bit like coca cola. Dilution Rate. 100.
Best Carpet Stain Remover
As discussed, the pre-spray can take care of most stains. However oil based stains need a solvent based stain remover. The best most economical one I have come across is Citra Clean Concentrate by Bio Productions. Contains orange essence. You can also use it on hard floors. It tackles chewing gum, tarmac stains, ink, mascara gloss paint etc.
Best Carpet Deodorizer
Sometimes clients carpets look pretty clean already. Thus even though you know and can tell by the dirty water how much cleaner they are, its a very good idea to leave a nice smell behind.
Craftex Super Cherry Concentrate
Holy moly, this stuff is incredible! It is so strong. Literally you only need one or two drops in your tank or direct to carpet to fill the room with a lovely cherry bakewell smell. This deodoriser of all iv tried gets the most compliments from clients. Be careful not to get any on your skin or clothes its strong stuff.
Craftex Clean Cotton
If your not keen on the cherry smell, then go with Craftex Clean Cotton. To leave a clean smell behind. Its bonus is it’s anti bacterial. It kills a wide range of germs caused by pets, urine, vomit, smoke, faeces, etc.
What About Pet Urine Smells?
Old Dog and Cat urine is a carpet cleaners worst nightmare (especially if on wool carpets). If its penetrated to the underlay, then you need to remove/replace the underlay. If your lucky or fresh then its just on the surface. The only product iv found that will eat away the smell is made by World of Clean. The ammonia and bacteria need to broken down Its called “Natural Odour Neutraliser”. You only need a couple of sprays direct to the effected area. Its contains essential oils and it smells like a soft spicy aftershave. But its very pleasant, and does actually work. It costs about £7 for 500ml.
Carpet Cleaning Accesories
There are endless amounts of accesories you could buy. There are a few things I would say are essentials and they are:
How Much Should I Charge?
Again, this is a difficult one, and why I never give specific prices on my website. It depends on a number of factors such as; location, how dirty/stained the carpets are, if they have pets, are they students at end of tenancy etc.
For domesic jobs as a rough guide, assuming the carpets are in average condition, £20-£30 is average cost per bedroom.
Some lounges are big, so you can go a bit higher like £40-£50.
Rugs, again depends on size and material, but if standard then £20-£30
Try not to go out for just one room, as the time you have set up and packed away the equipment, its very time consuming, if you can do a special offer such as 3 for 2 or something similar.
For commercial carpet jobs again depends on size, but £1.50-£2.50 a square meter seems about the average going rate.
You can find out a bit more about average carpet cleaning prices here.
TIP: Never guarantee to a customer that you will remove a stain completely. Its better to under promise and over deliver. The variables are vast. Stains on wool carpets are usually tougher to remove than those on synthetic. If the stain has “set” (sat a long time) it can be tough to remove.
How To Get Customers
There are a number of ways to get new business.
Summary
I hope you find some useful things in this post. If you like it, please share it. And if you have any comments or questions please feel free to comment below or drop me a email.
James. Vale Carpet Cleaning.
4 reasons why Cardiff is the best city to live in
/in Blog /by jfrazermannIf you live in Cardiff City, then you already know why it’s the best place in wales to live in. For those not in the know, here are some reasons why it takes the top spot.
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Good things come in small packages
We love a big city as much as the next person, but if you want a city that has everything you need in walking distance then Cardiff fits that mould perfectly. It’s large enough that there is plenty to keep you occupied there, between historic castles and extensive hiking trails. But also small enough that you can really get to know the all areas of the city well. Many of the local business owners and residentant do know one another, and that makes it an endearing place to come back to. Theres always a good positive vibe.
Convenient Location
We mentioned it’s close to a few big cities, and those are Birmingham and Bristol, the latter of which is only 40 miles away. There are beautiful beaches less than 20 minutes drive from the town of Barry. And of course less than 1 hour from the spectacular Brecon Beacons. Through the centre of the city is the River Taff, which provides some great water sports opportunities and an idyllic appearance to this quiet town. It’s perfect for those who love the outdoors and the calm, quietness of smaller towns out in the country, but who also want to be close enough to some great daytrip destinations.
Something for Everyone
There are many great things to see and do in Cardiff. If you are into the arts and culture scene, then Cardiff has you covered there. The museums, art galleries and performing arts centre all make it a hotbed of culture and fine art. For those who like the great outdoors, the Taff River, the hiking trails and the beautiful green spaces littered throughout the city make for some great experiences. It’s also the perfect place for those who love history to come and visit. There are many ancient landmarks and buildings here.
Value for Money
If you have stayed in one of the larger nearby cities for any length of time, you know how prohibitively expensive they can be. The rent and cost of living are so high that unless you have a great job, you probably have to make a lengthy drive from the city just to afford it. In Cardiff, however, the accommodation is much more economical. There’s not as many people vying for a place to stay there, and even renting a place to keep sheltered for the night is inexpensive, comparatively speaking.
You might not have all the glitz and glamor in Cardiff that London provide, but those things along with property prices cost ten fold the money. If you are looking to have a great time while spending a bit less, then it’s a great alternative to some for the more prominent tourist hotspots.
Top 10 things to do when visiting Cardiff
/in Blog /by jfrazermannIf you’re planning to visit Cardiff, then here are the ten best things you absolutely have to see while you are there.
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Cardiff Castle
One of the most prominent tourist sites in the town is the castle, located right in the town’s centre. The basic Essential Ticket will allow you to see much of the grounds. But if you want a guided tour and access to some of the private apartment rooms, you will have to pay more for the Premium Ticket. The castle features historic books and posters as well as shelters that were used back in World War II. For a historic trip to the past, you can’t do any better in Cardiff.
National Museum
One of the most expansive museums in the region, this one features plenty of paintings, as expected. But it also has an extensive display of sculpture, geology, natural history and archaeology. Whether you are an art or history buff, you will have an unforgettable experience here.
Taff Trail
For those that like to get in some walking or biking in the great outdoors. The Taff Trail is the perfect way to get as long or as short of a hike in as you like. It stretches across kilometres of the town, covering many of the paths of the old railway system. The unprecedented number of green spaces in Cardiff have been made good use of with this winding and seemingly endless trail.
Farmer’s Market
If you want to immerse yourself in the local culture and foods, you can’t do it any better than by visiting the Farmer’s Market. There, fresh-grown produce is sold right alongside homemade delicacies, presenting you with a massive array of culinary options. There are actually four different farmer’s markets spread across Cardiff, so no matter where in the town you are, you should be able to find one near you.
St. John the Baptist Church
If the Cardiff Castle tickled your fancy for older structures, then church is going to be right up your alley as well. It’s the second oldest building in the town after the castle, and it dates all the way back to the 12th century. Unlike many of the sites on this list, you can enjoy the church for free. However, if you want to take pictures, the caretakers request a donation.
Principality Stadium
The sports fan visiting Cardiff is definitely going to want to take a trip to the stadium. It’s primarily used for rugby and football matches, though it has a retracting roof to make it suitable for a variety of events. That makes it unique in Europe. Only one other stadium in the entire continent has such a feature. Ground Maintenace companies like South Wales Ground Care ensure the landscapes, trees and grounds are looking their finest.
Museum of Welsh Life
This outdoor museum is completely free, and you can walk through streets populated with buildings that are recreations of centuries old Welsh grocery stores, houses and more. It’s like taking a walk through the past, and it’s a great way to take in some of the history of the region in an interactive way.
Cardiff International White Water
For something more extreme and adventurous, you might want to try the white water rafting in Cardiff Bay. It’s situated between some of the town’s more famous landmarks. Which makes it the perfect choice for breaking up the slower pace required by art museums and historic landmarks.
Cardiff Bay Barrage
While you are in the bay, you should take some time to see the Barrage. It’s a one-of-a-kind civil engineering project that consists of a dam and lake. The majesty of the still waters is juxtaposed against the remarkable human accomplishment of the dam. Creating a site that stands out in the town mostly filled with historic structures.
Millennium Arts Centre
This remarkable centre is built from wood, glass, slate and metal. It is host to a performing arts theatre as well as commemorative flourishes that honour Welsh artists of the past.
Find out about our highly recommended local services in Cardiff.
Whats lurking in your carpets?
/in Blog /by jfrazermannThey are floating in the air, clinging to your clothes and finding their way through your ventilation system. Its not just drainage systems that can produce nasty germs, its your carpets too. They can also cause allergies Here are 5 nasty things that could be hiding in your carpets right now:
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Dust Mites
These nasty little creatures feed off animal and human dead skin. Hot water is one of the best ways to kill mites without using pesticides or other hazardous chemicals. So steam cleaning can be very effective at getting rid of them, no matter how deeply they are buried inside your carpet fibers.
E Coli
This deadly strain of bacteria is most often connected with food poisoning, but it’s actually commonly picked up on the street and carried into our homes and businesses. There’s a good chance that your carpet could be harbouring this hidden virus.
Pneumonia
Even if you take off your shoes when you enter your home, does everyone else? If you have kids, then there is a good likelihood, that they have forgotten to leave their shoes at the door, and your carpets could be home to pneumonia bacteria.
Micrococcus
While this virus may be rare, it’s dangerous enough to be worthy of your concern. It can live in your carpet and cause all sorts of health problems- meningitis, skin conditions, and in some cases, even death.
Mould and Fungus
The Different Types of Carpet Fibres
/in Blog /by jfrazermannA Look at the Different Types of Carpet Fibres. There are several different kinds of carpet fibres. When deciding to buy patio rugs or carpets you should first weigh the pros and cons of different materials. Here, we will examine a few of the most prominent types of carpet fibres so you can make an informed decision about which kind to buy when you need to purchase carpet for your home or business. And of course which carpets are easier to clean then others.
Nylon Carpet Fibres
You will find nylon being used in the vast majority of carpet fibres today. It is generally accepted that this carpet fibre offers the most value for your money, as it is incredibly strong and resistant to mould growth. You may want to note that there are two types of nylon fibres, and they are classified as type 6 and type 6,6. There used to be quite a gap between the two in resiliency and strength, but now that gap has basically closed to where they are practically identical.
Polypropylene
The cheapest carpet fibre on this list and the one that is seeing the largest growth rates in installation in the UK is polypropylene. This carpet fibre is resistant to most types of stains. It is actually more resistant to pretty much every stain except oil based ones than the other carpet fibres on this list. On top of that, it is very resistant to fading from harsh light sources, such as sunlight. But the weaker composition makes it a poor choice for high traffic businesses, such as airports or universities.
It is a good choice for homes, as it is economically priced and fairly resilient. When purchasing polypropylene (also called olefin) be aware that there are different pile types and heights out there. Ideally, you should get a low pile high-density carpet. This will last you’re the longest and provide the most value. If you choose to go with a low-density olefin carpet, then it may flatten out quickly.
Wool
Wool continues to be the gold standard for carpet fibres. Nothing else is as strong or will retain its form and integrity for as long. The drawback to using wool carpet fibres, however, is that they are incredibly expensive. In fact, they are usually priced out of the range of most consumers, making wool desirable as a carpet fibre but unattainable for most. Wool, while glamorous and strong, is not very resistant to mould growth and moths. Consumers using this type of carpet will need to maintain it well for it to still look beautiful years later. It has a few serious weaknesses that hold it back from being the carpet fibre of choice for most people. The below table shows some of the benefits and characteristics of each type:
Which is Better – Wet or Dry Carpet Cleaning?
/in Blog /by jfrazermannThe two primary ways that professional carpet cleaners will remove dirt and stains from carpets are through wet and dry carpet cleaning techniques. These both have similar outcomes and objectives, but they are accomplished in very different ways. We’re going to look at these two methods here and compare them. Then we’ll let you know which is the best one, so you can make the right choice for your carpets.
Wet Carpet Cleaning
This method is sometimes called steam cleaning, because of the steam that comes off the carpet during the cleaning process. For this cleaning measure, hot water is pumped onto the carpet with a powerful hose. This forces the water and the cleaning agents that are put into the water down into the carpet fibres. As the water rushes through the carpet, it pushes out the dirt and particles trapped in there. The cleaning agents are able to break up the stains and make them easy to remove.
Once the carpet has been completely hosed down, the hot water is extracted the same way it came out. The carpet then needs some time to dry out completely before it can be used.
Dry Carpet Cleaning
Not as common, but similarly effective is dry carpet cleaning. This involves using dry chemicals that are applied to the carpet and sprayed with some water to help them react on the carpet. So in a sense it is not truly dry, but once the process is complete, the carpet is usable right away since it will be dry by that point.
After the chemicals are applied, they are then vacuumed up and pile lifted. This removes all the chemicals from the carpet and gets rid of the dirt that was loosed by the cleaning process.
Which Method is Best?
Now you’ve seen how these two methods work, lets compare and contrast them. The hot water extraction carpet cleaning process tends to provide a more thorough cleaning. It is able to get down deep in the carpet where the dry method cannot. But on the downside, it can take much longer for the carpet to be useable, sometimes as long as several days.
The dry cleaning method is very effective, and it may actually be better at getting rid of certain stains, but it can also cause damage to the carpet and the environment. The chemicals that it uses to clean with are often very harsh and can be unsafe to be in close proximity to.
The wet cleaning method is preferred by most professional carpet cleaning companies. They know it is better for the environment and the carpet. While it can cause some temporary inconvenience, it is certainly better over the long term. Find how much carpet cleaning services cost.
Carpet Dust Mites
/in Blog /by jfrazermannCarpet dust mites are creatures that are so small that you can barely see them without some sort of magnification. They feed off of animal and human dead skin, pollen and bacteria.
Where are Dust Mites?
Dust mites are more likely to be found in the bedroom and rooms where pets are allowed than anywhere else. They can easily hide deep within the carpet, where dust and other detritus can be difficult to remove. Carpets are often not cleaned as regularly as other parts of the house, making them ideal locations for dust mites. They like to hang out here and lay their eggs. If you want to keep dust mites from affecting you then your best defence is to modify the humidity in your home.
How to remove Dust Mites
Dust mites cannot tolerate humidity levels of 60 percent or lower, quickly dying out in this type of environment.You will also want to clean your carpets regularly. Using Hot water the best way to kill mites without using pesticides or other chemicals which can be hazadous. Having your carpets professionally cleaned can therefore be very effective at eradicating them. No matter how deeply they are buried inside your carpet fibres. Regular dusting and vacuuming are also great ways to reduce the dust mite population.
By keeping your home clean you will eliminate a lot of the mites’ food sources, starving them and driving them from your home. It can also help to control your ventilation. If you allow air from open windows to ventilate your home, pollen may be able to enter and feed the mites. Instead, try to use vents and duct systems to provide air flow to your home. These ventilation systems should be cleaned regularly as well. They can collect dust and other particles that attract mites.