Carrara Companies Cleaning & Restoration Services Blog

Why Is Steamatic Better Than the Rest?

How do you find a carpet cleaning company? Is your decision based on price, quality, reputation, or word of mouth?  All are great things to consider when selecting a carpet cleaning company to enter your home or business.

Like anything, research is necessary to determine the best fit for you. Personally, I live by the motto, you get what you pay for, and with that in mind I will pay a little extra to make sure I get the best service. The phrase, getting it done the first time, seems to be leaving many companies' business practices. 

Steamatic by Carrara Companies offers a unique process when it comes to carpet cleaning. Our patented process has a proven track record of getting your carpets cleaned, without the use of harsh chemicals. When cleaning, the hotter the water, the better the result. When you wash your dishes, you automatically know to use hot water, as it cleans easily and kills germs and bacteria. Carpet is the same - the hotter the water the better the clean, because every 15 degrees increase in water temperature doubles the cleaning power.

Most carpet cleaning companies use a system wherein water leaves the truck and travels through hoses to the carpet cleaning wand. Once the water leaves the machine, the temperature may be 212 degrees, but by the time it travels to the wand the temperature has significantly decreased. The Steamatic difference is our re-circulating system for the hot water. This means the hot water flows to the wand, and then is sent back to the truck to be reheated. When the steam touches the carpet, it is the same temperature as when it left the truck - 212 degrees.

With our patented system, Steamatic is a GREEN cleaning company for the simple fact less chemical is needed. When selecting a carpet cleaning company make sure you feel comfortable about them sticking by their word, and performing at the level you expect.

Halloween Carpet Cleaning Nightmares - Fake Blood

In addition to gum, candy, and chocolate, other "accidents" can be a nightmare to clean-up, especially on a nice white carpet.  Here is another carpet cleaning tip on getting rid of one of those other scary Halloween stains.

Remember: Carpets and rugs with natural fibers or dyes may require special treatment, and always read and follow the care instructions and any warnings provided by the carpet manufacturer. If in doubt contact a cleaning professional for advice/service. Never use a circular motion when attempting to remove stains, as it can destroy the texture of the carpet.

Determining the chemicals in the fake blood will help you figure out the best method on removal. Remove as much of the fake blood as possible by blotting with a white paper towel or scraping with a dull knife. Using an oxygen-based detergent solution, blot the affected area until it is covered. Avoid any detergents that contain bleach and/or lanolin. Rinse with a spray bottle containing water, blotting until you remove the stain.

If this does not completely remove the stain, you may need to moisten the area with a 3 percent hydrogen-peroxide solution. Let sit for an hour, and repeat as necessary. Light causes a chemical reaction with the peroxide so you do not have to rinse. Once the stain is removed, use a towel or paper towel to ensure the area is dry.

Another method is to pour a little club soda over the blood. Cover the fake blood in plenty of salt to absorb the stain. Wait one day & vacuum!

Cleaning Services Tips for Selling Your Home

A down economy hurts sellers when trying to sell your home. Making your home more desirable to a buyer can make all the difference, as many buyers today are not looking for the fixer uppers. Historically, the buyer will paint and change flooring after purchasing a home, but by doing a few small things as a seller, you can make your home more marketable.

First, have a professional carpet cleaning company clean all the carpets. If you have ceramic tile get a professional clean on it too, since having clean floor may entice the buyer as they will not think about replacement.

Second, have neutral colors on the walls. This may mean painting, but in the end, the goal is to sell. Your taste may differ from others, and a buyer thinking they have to paint, may be overwhelming.

Third, have extra furniture removed, as minimal is all you need. If furniture causing clutter it will make the room look smaller, and by having less furniture, the room appears bigger.

Finally, the outside (siding, brick) and the inside of the home should be clean. The first impression of the buyer should be a good one, and by having the outside and inside of the home clean it will reflect a well maintained and cared for home.

The cost of doing these is inexpensive and may help move the home to close quicker.

Carpet Cleaning Tips: Getting Popsicles and Kool-Aid Out of Carpets

The warm, sunny weather goes together with the classics: popsicles and Kool-Aid. Unfortunately, these two delicious treats tend to make a mess when spilled indoors. Remember these tips for your summertime spills:

• Pick up the dropped chunks of popsicle.
• Blot up the excess beverage, and never rub the affected area - this will cause the fibers to absorb the liquid and possibly spread.
• You will need a few drops of liquid dish detergent (without bleach), white towels, warm water, and an iron.
• Test a small inconspicuous area for colorfastness of carpet. This may not work on all carpet fibers. Contact your carpet manufacturer first before applying any chemicals/soaps to your carpet for cleaning.
• Mix a few drops of the dish liquid with warm water. Wet one towel with the mix and place it over the affected area. Put the dry towel on top of the wet one and gently use the hot iron on it. You will see the color pull into the wet towel. (repeat if necessary)

For best results contact a professional carpet cleaning company, and visit us here for more information.

Carpet Cleaning Tips: Pet Urine & Odor Removal

The family pet is one of Americans' most beloved family members. We celebrate their arrival and take them everywhere we go ... and mourn their passing when gone. The time in between is filled with good times and bad, including the house training phase. While some pets learn quickly, there are those who seem to take forever, and with it a tinkle on our carpets. Here are some carpet cleaning tips for getting out the odors and stains from pets.

• Primarily, avoid the old wives-tales methods for removing stains and odor. Some of them may damage the carpeting or flooring, and cause a greater expense.
• Pet urine, specifically cat urine, is the major troublemaker when it comes to stains and odor. First, try a natural enzymatic-based odor remover found in many pet stores. Pour the cleaner over the affected area and let sit for a long time. The longer soak time allows for maximum effectiveness.
• When urine dries, it crystallizes — which is the main issue with returning urine odor. Steam carpet cleaning will only remoisten the crystals and make the odor stronger. In some cases, the carpet and padding will have to be removed and replaced.
• If the urine has soaked into the sub-flooring, then it will have to be replaced as well. The wood or concrete is porous, and soaks up the urine like a sponge.
• Pets will usually return to the same spot repeatedly if not treated properly.
• Steam carpet cleaning is the best method for removing pet stains and odors. Professional carpet cleaners who use the hot water extraction method are your best bet. Informing them of the primary reasons for the carpet cleaning prior to beginning the work is advised, as they have their own special methods.
• If you must spot clean, use a natural cleaner and let it soak as long as possible. Never scrub the stain as it will only drive the contaminants deeper into the carpet.

Tips on Selecting Carpet Cleaning Companies

There are some spills, pet stains, tracked-in dirt, and/or other messes that just cannot be cleaned as a do-it-yourself job. Jumping on the Internet or skimming through the yellow pages becomes the next course of action when attempting to rid your carpet of those unsightly eyesores. When choosing carpet cleaning companies, here are some important tips to remember:

• Use caution if a company has not been in business for a long time or guarantees an advertised price for a certain area. Most of the franchise carpet cleaning companies will provide you with a quick estimate based on the description of the room, but they will not emphatically state what the price will be outright.
• The use of a brand name cleaning product does not guarantee affiliation with the product's manufacturer.
• Ensure the company is certified either by CRI and/or IICRC, as these organizations require ethical standards be held to use their certifications.
• If the company is not willing to provide a written estimate, or send a representative out to inspect the areas prior to cleaning, then they should be avoided at all costs.
• Ask what processes are used in carpet cleaning, and make sure they are backed by a guarantee.
• It may be best to move any important furniture or breakables yourself, prior to the process start.
• When the job is complete, ensure the final bill matches what was quoted. If any extra work was conducted, the project manager or representative present should have explained thoroughly prior to conducting the work.

What Carpet Cleaners Are Best For You?

When you talk to someone about carpet cleaning, the only consistent people are professional carpet cleaners. Everyone has their own method for maintaining their carpets, however, some fail where others succeed - even when following the exact same steps. While some start carpet maintenance with vacuuming, it is also where most people stop.

Make a plan for maintaining your carpets, and understand the best thing is to vacuum every other day, if not every day. This will assist in removing a lot of allergens, dust and dirt, which can accumulate on a daily basis. Move your furniture around in high traffic areas to prevent shading and excessive buildup of dirt.

Never underestimate the power of water - especially hot water. The hotter the water, the better the cleaning, and detergents will not be needed. When asked, some will recommend a dry chemical offered by companies such as Amway, Home Depot, Sears, etc. However, they may not always be the best carpet cleaning solution. Some detergents may cause discoloration or even damage the fibers in the carpet, thus limiting the life of the carpet. Nothing beats water over 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and it will also not leave behind any residue children or pets may ingest.

If you do choose to use carpet cleaners to remove a spot stain, make sure you know two things. First, the type of carpet, and second the type of stain. Water-soluble stains only require a mild detergent or solution, and are blotted - never scrubbed. For heavier stains, make sure the solvent solution used is safe to use on the carpet. When in doubt, call a professional carpet cleaner and have them remove it.

In the end, to ensure your carpet's longevity and looks, it is recommended to have your carpets cleaned annually - or better, semi-annually. With the right plan and proper care, you can maintain your carpets while keeping your costs down and your family safe.

Carpet Cleaning: Melting the Wax Away

Over the years, people have enjoyed the comfort and warmth of candles. They have provided symbolism and hope, and, unfortunately, sometimes a mess. Here are some carpet cleaning tips to remove those accidental waxy messes.

While most carpet cleaners use a hot water extraction method, a simple solution can be done with your household iron. Place either a brown paper bag or white towel over the affected area and, with the iron on low to medium, gently push the iron on the towel or paper bag in a blotting motion. Allow the newly melted wax to absorb in the towel or bag, and repeat as necessary to remove as much visible wax as possible. If there are still some residual oils, try using a citrus gel solvent spotter to remove them.

If the stain remains from a colored candle, try blotting the area with a mixture of hot water and commercial fabric or upholstery cleaner. There are some cleaners, which you can find online and in stores, that directly work for this, and takes only a little hard work. If the stain is persistent, then contact a professional carpet cleaner.

Halloween Fun Scares Up Carpet Cleaning Nightmares

Each Halloween, trick-or-treating brings smiles, laughter and months worth of candy. But even when the chocolate bars and sticky, gooey candies are eaten, traces of Halloween fun can still be found lurking on our carpets and rugs.

We've listed here some carpet cleaning tips and tricks for removing those scary Halloween stains. (Please remember these are general guidelines, and carpets and rugs with natural fibers or dyes may require special treatment. Never use a circular motion when attempting to remove stains, as it can destroy the texture of the carpet.)

• Chewing Gum: Freeze the gum with an ice cube for about five minutes or until the gum becomes hard. Break up the gum with a dull knife and vacuum the pieces. Detergents containing a citrus base may remove the stickiness of the gum, allowing it to be easily removed.
• Gooey Candy: Using either a dull knife to scrape, or a white paper towel to blot, remove as much of the candy as possible. Using a detergent solution, blot the affected area until it is covered with detergent. You want to avoid any detergents that contain bleach and/or lanolin. Rinse with a spray bottle containing water, blotting until you remove the stain. If this does not completely remove the stain, you may need to moisten the area with a 3 percent hydrogen-peroxide solution. Let it sit for about an hour, and repeat as necessary. Light causes a chemical reaction with the peroxide so you do not have to rinse. Once the stain is removed, use a towel or paper towel to ensure the area is dry.
• Chocolate: Begin as you would with candy, and use a dull knife or paper towel to remove as much as possible. Once completed, mix cool water with ammonia (1 tablespoon of ammonia to ½-cup water) in a spray bottle, and cover the affected area lightly. Blot continuously with a white paper towel until the stain is removed.