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Why Do Spots Reappear on Clean Carpets and How Do You Keep That From Happening?

We know it’s very frustrating when you have cleaned up a spill or a stain on a carpet and then like an annoying relative it keeps on coming back. This is particularly maddening when you have paid a professional carpet cleaner a good bit of money and then the stain comes back.

We are Mop and Shine, a professional cleaning company in Kenya, that has been in existence for now over 10 years. We understand the ins and outs of professional cleaning services and may be we can help you to understand what is happening when that stain comes back and what you can do about it.

There are two reasons why stains come back.

Residue- residue is what is left over after an incomplete cleaning attempt. This is usually a sticky alkaline cleaning agent that has been left in the carpet and soil is sticking to it. It would be like washing your hair and only rinsing half of the shampoo. Your hair will get dirty twice as fast. Usually what happens on carpets is the homeowner sprays too much alkaline cleaner on a spot and rubs it out. The spot disappears. The homeowner is happy, mission complete, except that a few days later that dirty spot reappears. Sometimes it could be that an alkaline cleaner has spilled on the carpets. Four year old Ciku is helping with the laundry and opens the cap and spills two cups of laundry soap on the carpets. There is going to be so much soap in the carpet that you are going to need some expert advice. Or, it has been known to happen that an inexperienced carpet cleaner has left residue in the carpets.

Whatever caused the problems, here are the solutions.

The small residue spot

When you are cleaning up a stain, rule number one is to use the proper cleaning solution. Using the wrong solution can at best be ineffective and at worst damage your carpet. On our website is a page with the best cleaning solutions for different kinds of stains.

When you use an alkaline stain remover, you need to either rinse extremely well or rinse and neutralize the area with an acidic solution to remove any residue. White vinegar in ½ cup to a quart of warm water mixture is a good acidic cleaning solution that will remove the residue. Pour some of the vinegar solution on the spot and blot dry.Use the vinegar after you have rinsed out the spot thoroughly.

The large volume soap spill

If you have spilled a large volume of an alkaline cleaning solution then you are going to need to get a little more aggressive.

Rent a portable steam cleaner. Make sure it has a hose attachment for cleaning upholstery. Using two cups of white vinegar to a gallon of warm water fill up the tank of the carpet cleaning machine. Spray down the “soapy” area and then extract with the machine. Do this over and over and over until there is no more “soap” coming out of the carpet. Be aware that because the soap foams up your machine will fill with foam quickly. If you suck up a little bit of straight vinegar every few times you extract, this will help to keep the foam down.

The carpet cleaner left residue

If a carpet cleaner leaves residue in your carpets then call them up and ask them to come and fix the problem. If not then you will either need to call a better professional or if you clean yourself then you can follow the same procedure shown above except you will be cleaning a bigger area. Use the vinegar or better yet purchase an acidic neutralizing solution from your local carpet cleaning supply store. Clean the carpets just as you would as if you had put an alkaline solution in the machine. You may have to go slow and be very thorough.

Wicking

The other and much more common cause of spots reappearing is called wicking. If a spill or stain goes down deep into the fibers and particularly if it goes through the backing to the padding under the carpet it is going to be really hard to clean that spot out. What you see as the stain on the top of the carpet is kind of like the tip of the iceberg. You can clean up that part visible on the surface but a part of the remaining hidden stain wicks up to take its place. This does not happen immediately, it takes hours or even days. The stain needs to be moist to do this, which why certain types of stains like oil stains will come back easily. One of the biggest headaches for professional carpet cleaners is when after deep cleaning a carpet, a stain that was in the backing and we did not even know was present wicks up to the surface after we leave. Any stain that is bigger than about the size of a hand is one that could sink down to the backing and wick back up later.

The answers to wicking

If you are cleaning a larger spill after you have gone through the cleaning process and while the spot is still damp, take a white cotton rag folded several times and place over the stain. Place a piece of plastic of the cloth and then stack several heavy hardcover books on this. The stain will wick up through the carpet fibers and into the white cloth. Then re-clean the remaining spot on the carpet surface. With large spots you may have to do this several times.

Large volume spills

Certain types of large volume spills or stains might require that you pull up the carpet and remove the padding. The padding is just a big sponge and without special professional carpet cleaning tools you will not be able to remove stains from the padding through the carpet. The easiest thing to do is to simply cut out the stained padding and replace it with new. If there is a stain also on the sub flooring you will need to clean that and then paint the floor with sealer paint like kilz.

The Water Claw

A professional carpet cleaner may have a tool called a Water Claw which is a tool that allows cleaners using van mount steam cleaning systems to extract many types of stains from the padding right through the carpets.

Encapsulation

A process that is helpful with wicking is called encapsulation. Encapsulation products create minute crystals that absorb the stain when it begins to wick up top the surface. These crystals dry to a fine invisible powder that you vacuum up during your next regular vacuuming.

You can ask your local carpet cleaning supply store about these products and how to use them.

I hope this article helps you if you find yourself having spots that reappear or get in touch with us today for professional cleaning services.

Cleaning Stains From Office Chair Fabric – Treatment Tips

There is nothing worse than finding a nasty stain on your office chair fabric, it seems once it’s there it almost appears to grow and magnify each time you look at it. The question is what is the best way to deal with a bad fabric stain? And the answer really depends on what the stain is caused by.

Here are some of the most common stains found on office chairs and how to best deal with them.

Soft Drinks, Tea and Coffee Stains

Fabric stains on office chairs caused by soft drinks, tea and coffee are very common after all it’s just so easy to slop your drink when working in your chair.

As with the majority of fabric stains speedy treatment is vital so it is always best to act quickly. Begin by mopping up any excess fluid with a white paper towel, do this by blotting the stain and don’t start rubbing at it.

Next, mix up a solution of 33% white vinegar (acetic acid) and 66% warm water, dampen the stain with the solution with either a cloth or a misting spray.

Allow it to soak in for a short time and then blot again with a clean paper towel, repeat this process if necessary.

Grease Stains

Again speed is important when dealing with grease stains. Begin by sprinkling the greasy mark with talc or corn starch and let the grease absorb into the powder before brushing it off. This will remove any grease sitting on the surface of the fabric.

Next, use a dry cleaning solvent to damp the stain to dissolve the grease using a white paper towel to blot the affected area and remove the grease. It may well be necessary to repeat the treatment where the stain is particularly bad.

A cautionary note, before using any solvent always test it on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t adversely react with the fabric color.

Chocolate Stains

Chocolate is a real menace in the office, you’re having a snack and before you know it a lump of chocolate falls on the chair and then you sit on it and the damage is done.

Where it’s a big lump it is worth placing an ice cube in some cling film and pressing it against the chocolate to harden it, then take the back of a pen knife and carefully scrape off the build up of chocolate.

Once you have done this use the dry cleaning solvent procedure suggested for grease stains, remembering to test for color fastness first.

General Office Chair Fabric Maintenance

You may find you will need to clean the remainder of your chair fabric if it is a few years old as spot cleaning can leave the area a lot cleaner than the remaining fabric.

It’s always a good idea to keep your chair fabric in good condition by regular cleaning, left untreated minute grit particles embed themselves and act like sandpaper causing premature wear in your seating upholstery.

Regular vacuuming with a good cleaner as well as light beating to agitate the dirt particles is a good idea and will help prolong the life of your chair’s fabric.

Where the fabric is heavily worn it may be too late to restore its finish and investing in a new chair may be necessary.

Cleaning Services That Can Save You Time And Effort

Cleaning can be a tedious process, especially when you have a large space to cover. Whether you wish to keep your residential or commercial space sparkles, a lot of effort and time will be needed. With busy modern lifestyles, most people rarely have the time to spare to do some thorough cleaning. Luckily, companies have made it very easy for individuals and companies to maintain clean spaces by offering all kinds of cleaning services. Using these services, you can enjoy a neat home or office without the need for you to do all the tedious work and without putting so much of your time in it.

Carpet cleaning services – The carpet is an essential item in a home or even office, apart from keeping the home appealing, it also adds to the comfort. It is however also one of the items most exposed to dirt, allergens and dust. Regular cleaning of the carpet is important, yet it can be quite a challenge. Cleaning companies offer all kinds of carpet cleaning services including steam cleaning to keep this cozy rug in top condition.

End of tenancy cleaning services – This kind of service is available to property managers and owners as well as individuals who wish to clean after themselves when they move house. Cleaning a property after moving out ensures it is in good condition for the next interested tenant and it maintains the value of the home. Cleaning professionals offer thorough cleaning services that include cleaning of windows and walls as well as all other surfaces to have the house looking as good as new.

After builders cleaning – Building projects can leave quite a mess that can take all time and effort to clear. Cleaning companies have all equipment, tools and products to clean after builders so your house or office can have a pleasant overall look free from all the mess that comes with the building process. Because of the extent of this kind of job, you may be assigned a team of cleaners to hasten it and achieve the desired results.

Domestic cleaning – It touches on everything that your home may need. Using the professional domestic cleaning services, you can even have your appliances cleaned, your bathroom scrubbed and sanitized and even your windows and carpets cleaned. Upholstery cleaning services also fall in this category. The professionals will definitely transform every area in your home with their expertise. The services are packaged depending on what service needs you have meaning the charges differ depending on the extent of work.

Office cleaning – The cleanliness around your office can go a long way in keeping a positive image of your business. High traffic offices require regular dusting and cleaning and the companies offer all these services. You can schedule the service depending on the exact needs you have within the office to keep every section looking organized and tidy. Some of the cleaning experts will even offer office de-cluttering services when required.

Reliable Carpet Cleaning Services – What Does It Involve

Owing to the woolen material used to make it, carpets are great magnets for dust and dirt. If there are kids and pets around the house, the need to clean your carpet is higher and more frequent. The collection of pet fur and food and color stains give the impression of poor cleanliness and hygiene habits. Not only this, a dirty carpet can be a source of serious allergies.

Regular vacuuming does help to keep your carpet clean; however, you will also need a professional clean up once a while. Here’s what professional carpet cleaning services involve.

There are many types of carpet cleaning. All the methods start with a thorough vacuuming. It is to extract the dust from your carpet or rug so as to make the other methods more effective. This method is called the dry cleaning method. The dry cleaning method also makes use of special cleaning powders. They are designed to attract the dirt almost as soon as they are applied. After the powder is applied and allowed to do its work, the carpet is thoroughly vacuumed.

Shampooing is the second method. Like dry cleaning, it is a kind of pretreatment. The carpet is sprayed with a cleaning solution or a shampoo. It is worked into the carpet with a machine and then extracted by vacuuming. These solutions are formulated with cleaning agents that remove dirt and stains from carpet fibers. They also contain deodorizes and brighteners that improve the look and smell of your carpet. Although effective, shampooing does not do a full-proof job as some dirt and microbes still remain behind.

The steam cleaning process is a hot water extraction process. It is considered the most effective of all carpet cleaning methods. The process employs heavy duty equipment to inject a solution of hot water and detergent into the rug or carpet. The dirt mixes up with the chemicals and is then extracted using high pressure machines. In case of steam cleaning for carpets it is important to make sure that all the moisture is removed. If moisture is left behind, it will lead to mold growth. Mold will not only destroy your carpet, but also emanates a foul odor and could give rise to allergies. Depending on how dirty your carpet is, the professional might also use the foam cleaning method; it’s a blend of dry cleaning and shampooing.

Besides these carpet cleaning solutions, there are other add-one services you can opt for by paying an extra charge. The first is applying deodorizers for that fresh clean smell. You can also use a carpet sealant. This solution seals the top layer of the carpet and prevents straining. It also preserves the colors of the fabric and keeps it from fading.

Thus, there are different methods of cleaning a carpet and a professional carpet cleaning service will offer most of them. You should choose a method that is designed for your carpet material. If you are not familiar what to use, speak to professional carpet cleaners. The cost of cleaning depends on the type of carpet cleaning service you opt for.

Top 5 Reasons Why You Should Choose Carpet Cleaning Services

When it comes to carpet cleaning for your home, you can either choose to do it yourself or hire a carpet cleaning company. Cleaning the carpet on your own can be a daunting task, especially if the carpet is too large and dirty. Furthermore, you might be too busy to even think about cleaning it yourself. This leaves you with the only one option- looking for carpet cleaning services. Using professional carpet cleaning services basically helps in keeping your carpet new and increases its durability.

Below are some reasons why you should consider using professional carpet cleaning services.

1. It’s Fast and Efficient

You must have tried to clean the whole carpet yourself and swore how you will never waste your time doing it again. To be honest, carpet cleaning is a tough job. You can spend the entire weekend plus a part of your Monday morning still cleaning it. What’s even worse, you might not clean it as effectively as it should be.

With carpet cleaning services, all you have to do is to make a phone call and everything will be done in a few minutes, if not hours.

2. It’s Cost Effective

If you think that saving money by cleaning the carpet on your own can be a good option, then you are wrong. In fact, many homeowners end up incurring extra costs especially after damaging the carpet during the cleaning process. This is because they are unable to use the right products as well as the right cleaning technique. As you know, some cleaning agents can be harsh on the carpet material especially if not used in the right measurements. Again, a company like us do it at KSh 500, something so fair that it won’t dent your pocket and at the same time leave you profoundly satisfied.

3. It’s Convenient

Unlike in the past where you had to carry all your carpets to the carpet cleaning center, things are completely different today. Most cleaning companies,like Mop & Shine, offer door to door services to their esteemed customers. You simply set an appointment with them and they will get down to work within minutes. This means that you won’t have to make a lot of efforts to have your carpet washed.. Therefore, professional carpet cleaners are more convenient, thus saving you time and energy.

4. It’s Reliable

If you look at most carpet cleaning companies, you will find that they employ a good number of professionally trained employees. This ensures that they will be able to deal with any kind of emergency.

5. Offer Quality Services

Carpet cleaning services are not only fast and efficient, but also offer results in the desired manner. In this case, quality services mean use of high standard products and appropriate techniques to ensure that your carpet is cleaned from dirt and other substances. Since your carpet is being handled by high quality professionals, you are guaranteed for having exemplary services.

It’s good to know that regular cleaning ensures that the carpet maintains its charm and also enjoys a longer lifespan. Professional cleaning services is reliable and cost-effective. Furthermore, using professional carpet cleaners can ensures that you get the best results possible for a clean carpet.

So, make your home a healthier place by using professional carpet cleaners at all times. Make your carpet stand out and give your house a unique look.

Make a clean break from Messy Habits…

Little changes to your daily routine can speed up your cleaning by preventing your house from getting dirty in the first place. Everyone is “time constrained” or “energy constrained” when it comes to cleaning.
Through daily habits that do not generate filth in the first place, you can keep your house cleaner. A few seconds or minutes of preventive maintenance can up up to hours of time saved on cleaning day.

To keep yourself sane and to make maximum use of your cleaning time, cleaning pros recommend that you follow this guidelines:

1) Keep your cleaning supplies together. Before you start, gather your equipment and cleaning products and load them in a tray, apron, or bucket. You won’t waste time running from room to room for supplies.
2) If it is not dirty, don’t clean it. Don’t waste time and energy sanitizing an unused bathroom just because it is cleaning day.
3) Spot-clean whenever possible. Don’t clean the entire oven when only the glass door has a grease mark.
4) Don’t Scrub. Let the cleaning solution do the work for you. Spray tough spots like soap-scummed shower wall with cleaner and let it soak while you clean something else. This way you will make double use of your time and save elbow grease.
5) Less is more. Use only as much cleaning product as you need. Using too much is a waste of money and it means more time mopping up the excess

Tips on Cleaning Pots & Pans

Ignore pots and pans and they will get back to you!

Any food left in a pot will absorb a soap flavour and will affect the next thing you cook. It can also breed bacteria.

It is important to clean pots and pans thoroughly to remove grease on the outside surface as well. Otherwise, when heated that residue can cause a nasty, hard-to-remove carbon build-up.

Pots 1pots 2

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