This Is How We Clean

If you have stubborn stains on a light - colored carpet, or simply a build-up of everyday dust and dirt, all carpets need a little care and attention. What puts many homeowners off of carpet cleaning is the effort involved in moving furniture and waiting for the carpet to dry, but carpet care doesn’t have to be difficult. If you ever wanted to know how to clean carpets with ease, here are a few swift, simple ways to remove stubborn stains and lingering smells.

Using powder is a great way to clean your carpet. This is the best strategy for cleaning your carpet with powder, whether it’s a powdered carpet cleaner or baking soda:

1.  Sprinkle the powder liberally over the carpet.

2.  Leave the powder for at least 30 minutes – but if you can leave it overnight, all the better – this gives the cleaner time to work, softening the stains and consuming the odors.

3.  Vacuum up the powder when you’re done.

Carpet shampoo is another popular way to clean your carpets. There are many different brands of carpet shampoo, so make sure that you follow the guidance on the label.

1.  Make up the solution as directed on the packaging. In many cases, the product will need to be diluted with water.

2.  Use just enough carpet shampoo to cover the area.

3.  Do not soak the carpet in shampoo – not only is this a waste, but it’s also going to increase drying time.

4.  Scrub on the particularly stubborn areas using a hard-bristled brush.

5.  Let the carpet dry.

6. Vacuum the shampoo once it has dried.

When it comes to cleaning carpets, plain old soap and water just isn’t going to cut it, especially if you’re dealing with persistent stains, deep-seated odors, or year’s worth of piled-on muck. Most people either go for carpet powder or carpet shampoo when cleaning the carpets in their home. For tackling stains and dirt, it’s worth looking for a dedicated carpet powder rather than a shampoo if you want to speed the process. Shampoos can take hours to dry, leaving the room off-limits until ready. 

Powdered products can be vacuumed up much quicker, and do just as good a job.

Whatever carpet cleaning product you use, make sure to read the directions and follow them carefully.

If you prefer to use natural carpet cleaning products, there are some everyday kitchen cupboard staples that work wonders. Most people have heard about using soda water or tonic water to counteract coffee stains, but salt is also a good alternative for removing dirt or soaking up fresh stains. Also, baking soda absorbs those nasty smells hiding amongst the fibers. Remember, when using a new cleaning method or product, always test it on a small area first.

For isolated stains, it’s always best to get them up as soon as possible before they really dry into the carpet material. Remember, don’t be tempted to wipe any stains – blot them instead to prevent the stain from smudging or going deeper into the carpet. While you can spot clean using a detergent, it’s also worth trying these handy stain remover tricks, too, depending on the source of the stain:

· For sticky stains like gum, harden it using an ice cube before prying it off.

· For smelly stains, mix equal parts vinegar and warm water and apply to the area with a cloth.

Regular cleaning of your carpet will help make deep cleaning it easier. Carpets need to be vacuumed once a week and more often in areas that are prone to dirt. This will prolong the life of your carpet and prevent a build-up of dirt leaving your home clean and healthy.

Nothing adds warmth to a room faster than a stylish set of curtains. Most window treatments are a significant investment, which makes proper care important. Keep your drapes and valences looking fresh with our simple curtain cleaning tips.

General Cleaning

Drapes and curtains face a lot of dirt, dust and sun exposure on a daily basis, all of which will break down the fibers and dyes in the material.

Before spot cleaning or washing curtains, check the manufacturer’s care instructions.

Start with the least damaging cleaning option first.

Stretch the curtain flat and then use a brush  attachment on a vacuum cleaner and lint roller to remove dust, debris or pet hair.

Some materials, like lined fabric can be ruined by water, so consult the label before washing or dry cleaning.

Machine Washing

Curtains made from cotton, nylon or polyester can most likely be machine-washed without issue. Use our three-step method for

proper cleaning:

Spot treat any stains with a stain remover, gently rubbing it in with an old toothbrush

Wash curtains in cold water on the delicate cycle, using a mild cold-water detergent intended for delicate fabrics

Tumble dry on low heat, and then re-hang while still just barely damp

Tip:

Press and iron cotton curtains before hanging. Nylon or polyester curtains or sheers will most likely not need ironing.

White Curtain Care

Salvage dingy or discolored washable white curtains with our simple 4-step trick: fill a utility sink with enough hot water to fully submerge the curtains

Add 2 cups of lemon juice and mix well

Soak the curtains for 1 hour, then squeeze out excess water and hang in bright sunlight to dry

After they air dry, machine wash and tumble dry on low heat.

Choosing Window Treatments

Dark curtains will show more dust, while light or white curtains may look dingy sooner.

Add a liner to curtains to help protect against sun damage.

Getting a good night’s sleep is important for your mental and physical health and clean bedding and  mattresses are key to ensuring good sleep and good health.

According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, regular and deep sleep is essential to learning, memory, and overall health, while poor sleep can lead to a greater risk for chronic disease, as well as impaired judgment and reaction time

A clean and comfortable mattress is essential for a good night’s sleep. While stains, odors, and dust mites are inevitable consequences of daily mattress use, regular cleaning can help to minimize these discomforts.

To keep your mattress clean, follow these 3 essential tips;

1.  Vacuum both sides of your mattress about once a month. Vacuuming your mattress helps to remove dust and dust mites, which can cause allergic reactions and irritation.

2.  If possible, air your mattress every few months by placing it outside in a sunny spot. This will prevent any accumulating moisture that can lead to mould, and will also banish any lingering odours.

3.  You can also air your mattress when changing the sheets and bedding. After removing the sheets, wait for a few minutes to let your mattress breathe. Ideally, open a window to let in fresh air and sunlight.

For simple or unidentified stains

Cleaning stains off your mattress may seem like an unpleasant task, but here are some tips that will help you clean a variety of stains. Be sure to check any instructions on your mattress tags – including any wash symbols – before you begin, and do not apply too much water or mattress stain remover to your mattress

For blood or urine stains, clean your mattress with a citrus cleanser or diluted dish detergent. Spray the cleanser and let it sit for five or ten minutes. Blot the mattress repeatedly to remove excess liquid, and remember not to apply too much water. For blood or urine stains, first, try applying a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to the affected area. Blot the stained area with a clean cloth just after application. If this does not work, apply a small amount of laundry detergent directly onto the stain.

This will help break up the proteins found in bodily fluids. Brush the spot vigorously. Remember to clean the stains with cold water only, as hot liquids will set these stains for good.

Cleaning bedding is usually as easy as washing your clothes, though it is important to pay careful attention to the wash symbols on your blankets, sheets, and pillowcases to make sure that you don’t shrink, stain, or damage your bedding.

Remember to wash your sheets and pillowcases about once a week, and your duvet or blanket about once a month.

In general, it is a good idea to pre-treat spots or stains on your bedding with spot cleaners before throwing them in the wash. Simply spray the soiled area with a stain remover and allow to sit for about 5 to 10 minutes before you begin your wash.

Be sure to follow the wash symbols on your bedding.

Consider washing your bedding with a detergent specifically designed for sensitive skin if you or any of your family members have allergies or sensitive skin. For example, you could try an unscented laundry detergent that’s gentle on skin and fabrics.

Do not wash your sheets in hot water, as this will set any stains that have not yet been removed.

For duvets, quilts, and comforters, remember to wash them in a machine large enough to provide plenty of space for movement. This may mean that you will have to find somewhere else to wash these large items!

A good sleeping environment could mean a better night’s sleep – give these tips a try, and sleep soundly with fresh, fragrant bedding and a clean mattress.

Sofas and chairs can be some of the most difficult items to clean. Whether you’re looking to clean leather or fabric upholstery, you would require special detergents or upholstery cleaners – but with the right approach, these can be very simple to use. So, while you can’t put an entire sofa in the washing machine, cleaning soft furnishings can be almost as easy.

Some fabric sofas have removable covers that are  designed to withstand a gentle washing machine cycle. But, if your furniture is made out of delicate material or does not have removable covers, you will need to consider other ways to clean it. Here are four tips to make your sofas and chairs look like new.

1. Get to the stains quickly. As soon as a spill or stain occurs, get to cleaning it immediately. Waiting too long before treating a stain – even a matter of a few minutes – can cause the stain to set, making it harder to get out.

2. Always, always check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before attempting to remove stains from your upholstery. Failing to do so could void warranties or simply ruin the fabric.

3. When using upholstery cleaners, always test first. Whatever method you choose to use to clean leather or fabric chairs or sofas, the most important thing is to always test detergents and cleaners on a small area first. Never try a new cleaner in an obvious place in case it isn’t compatible with  particular material.

1. Wondering how to clean fabric chairs? Keep it simple: Different fabrics react to cleaning detergents differently and you do not want to damage or fade the fabric. Do not apply cleaning solutions directly: occasionally, a simple dab of water will do. If possible, try to keep fabric sofas and chairs clean by vacuuming them regularly, and treat any stains immediately – blot the stain to avoid making it worse! When spot cleaning fabric furniture, use specialist furniture cleaners (choose a product that is appropriate for the particular type of material). Always make sure to read all the instructions of your specialist furniture cleaner before applying it.

2. Cleaning leather sofas means using different products. To clean any leather furniture, you can use specialist leather cleaning products, or you can mix a very mild clothes detergent – one designed for delicates or hand- washing – with a small amount of water and then spot clean using a micro fibre cloth. You could also use a saddle soap. These contain oils and waxes that not only clean surfaces but also add moisture to the material, helping to maintain health and shine without the risk of oversaturation from water.

3. Sprinkle baking soda on upholstery to get rid of bad smells. Let it sit for about 20-30 minutes, and vacuum it off when you’re done.

While most furniture cleaners are effective at removing dust, germs, and stains, some smells may be so deeply embedded in sofas and chairs that these methods alone are not enough to make them smell fresh. A simple way to freshen up furniture is to sprinkle your sofa and chairs with baking soda before going to bed. The next morning use a soft brush attachment to vacuum up the powder. This kitchen staple is excellent at absorbing nasty odors, and can be used throughout the home to reduce smells. It’s also worth airing your furniture every so often by opening windows on a breezy day, or using a ceiling or freestanding fan if you have one. Regular cleaning and using upholstery cleaners is simple, and can help you avoid strategically placing cushions to conceal stains. With these tips, you can keep your sofas and chairs looking their best.