This Is How We Clean

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.

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

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.