Category: Cleaning

Upholstery Cleaning Guide for Pet Owners

Let’s face it: pets can be messy! Between pet fur and accidents, sometimes your upholstered furniture can take a beating. As a pet owner, you have added steps in caring for your upholstery. It is essential to know how this furniture should regularly be cleaned and what you should do if there is a stain. In addition, it is important to occasionally have an upholstery cleaning by a professional company

Day-to-Day Cleaning

As far as day-to-day cleaning goes, vacuuming is the most important thing. This is especially vital if your cat or dog likes to jump on the furniture. A daily or weekly vacuuming using the upholstery attachment will clean up any fur left behind and will keep your upholstery nice and fresh. Without a frequent vacuum, no one will want to sit on the upholstery because they will get fur all over their clothes

Cleaning After an Accident

Sometimes pets have accidents, and it’s usually in the most unfortunate spots. If your cat or dog has an accident or gets sick on upholstered furniture, it is important to clean up as soon as possible to avoid permanent stains. Check the tag on the piece of furniture to see what kind of solvents can be used. Some pieces can only be vacuumed, while others allow certain types of cleaners

A pet stain and odor remover solvent is the best way to remove pet-related stains. These can be bought at your local pet store. Be sure to test out the cleaner on a hidden spot first to make sure it doesn’t take the color out or ruin the upholstery. If you don’t have a pet cleaning solution in the house, use dish soap and warm water to remove the stain.

have a process that uses less water so that drying time is fast! During this process, tiny effervescent bubbles pull up stains from the upholstery to the surface where they are extracted. The solution we use is non-toxic, meaning it is safe for your pets. We are done working in as little as two hours due to the fast drying time. After the cleaning is done, we can treat your furniture with our upholstery protector to help prevent it from getting stained in the future.

Cleaning Instructions

Code S

Recommended Cleaning Instructions

Spot clean only with a water–free dry cleaning solvent. Pretest a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding. Do not saturate. DO NOT USE WATER. Pile fabrics may require brushing with a non-metallic, soft bristle brush to restore appearance. Cushion covers should not be removed and dry–cleaned. To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing with a non–metallic, soft bristle brush to remove dust and grime is recommended. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Evenly clean the entire panel in a seam to seam fashion. Do not clean just the spots or stains. When an overall soiled condition has been reached and professional care is required, contact an IICRC Certified Firm who specializes in upholstery cleaning.

Code W

Recommended Cleaning Instructions

Spot clean only with water based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. Pretest a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding. Do not over wet. Do not use solvents to spot clean. Pile fabrics may require brushing with a non–metallic, soft bristle brush to restore appearance or reset nap. Cushion covers should not be removed and laundered. To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing with a non–metallic, soft bristle brush to remove dust and grime is recommended. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Evenly clean the entire panel in a seam to seam fashion. Do no clean just the spots or stains. When an overall soiled condition has been reached and professional care is required, contact an IICRC Certified Firm who specializes in upholstery cleaning.

Code SW

Recommended Cleaning Instructions

Spot clean with upholstery shampoo or dry cleaning solvent designed for furniture. Pretest a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding. Do no saturate. Pile fabrics may require brushing with a non–metallic, soft bristle brush to restore appearance. Hot water extraction or steam cleaning is not a recommended cleaning method. Cushion casings should not be removed and laundered or dry–cleaned. To prevent overall soiling, frequent vacuuming or light brushing with a non–metallic, soft bristle brush to remove dust and grime is recommended. When cleaning a spill, blot immediately to remove spilled material. Evenly clean the entire panel in a seam to seam fashion. Do not clean just the spots or stains. When an overall soiled condition has been reached and professional care is required, contact an IICRC Certified Firm who specializes in upholstery cleaning.

Code X

Recommended Cleaning Instructions

Clean only by vacuuming or light brushing with a non–metallic, soft bristle brush. DO NOT USE ANY WATER OR SOLVENT BASED CLEANER.

Slipcovers

Recommended Cleaning Instructions

Slipcovers are designed for style purposes only. Slipcovers are not pre-washed and washing them could result in shrinkage. Dry Clean only. Bernhardt accepts no responsibility for cleaning results. Make sure to check cleaning codes on all fabrics prior to cleaning.

Leather Upholstery

Recommended Cleaning Instructions

Frequent dusting or vacuuming with an upholstery attachment is recommended for preventative maintenance. Do not use furniture polish, saddle soap, oils, varnishes, ammonia water, soaps or dusting agents. To help remove soil or stains, take a lightly dampened cloth and using a mild solution of non-detergent soap and water gently wipe the area of the leather that includes the stain. Avoid dabbing the stained area only. Do not rub. Let dry naturally and repeat if necessary.

Avoid using ink pens, nail polish, nail polish remover or other harmful products near your leather furniture to avoid spills and avoid placing newspapers or magazines on the surface, as the inks may transfer onto the leather. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight should be avoided at all times, as it will cause fading.

UPHOLSTERY CLEANING INFORMATION & PROCEDURES

Pricing and Income Potential

Consider the following guideline for pricing your upholstery cleaning services:

Synthetic $8 – $10 per Ln. ft. for maintenance cleaning and $10 – $15 per Ln. ft. for restorative cleaning

Blends $12 – $15 per Ln. ft. for maintenance cleaning and $15 – $20 per Ln. ft. for restorative cleaning

Naturals $15 – $20 per Ln. ft. for maintenance cleaning and $20 plus per foot for restorative cleaning.

Silk $20 per Ln. ft. +, depending on the piece

This pricing equates to approximately $150 – $200 per man hour average income depending on fabric and fiber construction, soiling condition and overall technician experience.  Many companies demand rates considerably higher than this depending on their target market and whether or not they perform “in-plant” vs “on location” cleaning.Upholstery cleaning has taken on many changes over the last decade or so.  The introduction of some new cleaning tools, combined with the furniture industry’s push to produce and sell more “family friendly” fabrics has led the cleaning contractor to believe he can clean virtually any fabric with his standard carpet cleaning chemicals and his upholstery tool.  However, this is not the case.  It is still extremely important to follow proper cleaning fundamentals when cleaning upholstered fabrics.

There are many companies around the country that clean only furniture and avoid carpet cleaning altogether.  They do this because of the lack of competition and the profitability of furniture cleaning with a lot less equipment cost.  For example, you don’t need an expensive truck mount to clean upholstery.

Most upholstered fabrics are a blend of more than one fiber, typically containing a natural fiber such as cotton.  Every occupied structure you enter has upholstery cleaning opportunities.  The right tools, such as the Hydro-Force Hydro-Kinetic tool combined with the right chemistry, such as The Bridgepoint Avenge Upholstery Cleaning System has made cleaning these pieces easier and more profitable than ever before.

Product List (Suggested items to perform this service) Upholstery tool, Synthetic sponge, Disposable nitrile gloves, Horse Hair Brush hand size Lint roller, Dry Cleaning Sponge, Bone Spatula, Small measuring cup, Spotting towels 2-qt pump sprayer, Fan Jet spray Trigger sprayer, Pill Remover, Handi Brush Whiz Groom, Air King Plus air mover, Avenge HD Upholstery Prespray, Dye-Loc, Upholstery Prespray, Fabric Shampoo, Acidic Rinse, Upholstery Protector, Upholstery Training Module, Spotting Kit

Cleaning 101: How to Clean a Sofa

Daily care and at-home cleaners can keep your sofa looking beautiful for years. In the case of a spill, stain, or general wear and tear, follow our tips on how to clean a couch.

Decode Manufacturer’s Instructions

When learning how to clean a couch, the first thing you must do is look at the instructions provided by the manufacturer. This information can be found on the tag of the couch, where you will find cleaning directions or a letter code. The letter codes inform you which cleaning methods can be used safely on your couch.

W: Only water-based detergents are allowed.

S: Only dry, solvent-based cleaners may be used.

S/W: Both water-based or dry, solvent-based cleaners are allowed.

X: Only vacuuming is allowed; further cleaning will have to be done by professionals who specialize in how to clean a couch with this description.

Prep Your Couch

Before going all in, make sure to prep your couch for an initial cleaning phase that will remove any loose crumbs or dirt. Vacuum debris and dirt from the surface and crevices with a hand vacuum or brush attachment. Then use a lint roller to gather up any pet hair or fuzz that the vacuum may have missed. If your couch has removable cushion covers, unzip them and remove them from the cushion – leave the white batting on, though. Then turn them inside out and wash them in the washing machine. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions – many require the gentle cycle and warm water.

Face the Stains

Now that your couch is free of any surface debris, it is time to tackle any spots. Using the referenced cleaner from the couch label, follow these next steps to feel assured when facing any stain.

A BRIEF GUIDE TO UPHOLSTERY CLEANING

Upholstery cleaning, as you may have guessed, is the process of cleaning the often delicate fabric that upholsters your favourite pieces of furniture.

What are the benefits?

Health

The fibres in the upholstery on your furniture can harbour allergens, dust mites, fleas, mould, and bacteria if they are not regularly cleaned. These can all lead to a wide range of allergies and potential illness. Maintaining regular cleaning drastically reduces the presence of these irritants, and in turn, helps to keep your home and family healthy.

Air Quality

Each time you sit, lay down or move around on your upholstered furniture, you are unknowingly releasing dust, dirt and bacteria into the air in your home. Regular removal of allergens and dust is always encouraged for a clean home with clean air.

Odours

For many families, the living room furniture becomes the favorite spot for watching movies, relaxing or working from home – and whilst it might be your favourite spot, it is likely that your pet loves it too. With some much activity, it is natural for your furniture to pick up some odours, and not all of them are pleasant – particularly if the furniture is close to the cooking area! Cleaning helps remove those odours by removing the source.

Appearance

Over time, it is only natural that your furniture will collect stains and marks. Whether they are from kids or pets, there is only so much that can be covered with blankets or throws! The simple solution is to have your furniture cleaned on a regular basis to keep it looking like new.

A Longer Life for Your Furniture

As we all know, buying new furniture is not cheap. By investing in professional cleaning, you can extend the life expectancy of your favourite furniture and extend the life of your investment.

Durability

Regular upholstery cleaning removes dirt, grime and dust, which in turn improves the durability of the upholstery, removing the faded, thinning and aged look.

Can I do it myself?

Upholstery cleaning is a complex process which is a lot more difficult than it might sound at first. Firstly, upholstery is often made up of relatively delicate natural fabrics such as cotton. Secondly, if you have ever tried cleaning any furniture yourself, you will have found that most furniture can’t simply be removed and put through a washing machine!

Step-By-Step Guide To Cleaning Your Apartment Before Moving Out

Onward and Upward

You’ve spent your time in an apartment you love. Now it’s time to move out and on to the next adventure. It’s critical to get your deposit back when you go. This was a significant financial investment, and it’s in your best interest to get back every penny. You’ll be able to put that money towards your next place or into savings. Here’s how to clean your apartment to make sure you get your deposit back.

Prep and Plan

The first key step is to give your landlord notice. You want to give plenty of advance notice for when you’re leaving. This saves the landlord time and money. The quicker they are able to find someone new to fill your place means less interruption to their finances. You could also be penalized if you take too much time to leave after your stated move-out date.

Get Down to Cleaning

Once you’ve given your landlord enough notice and reviewed your tenancy contract, it’s time for the fun part: thoroughly cleaning your apartment. Put on a favorite TV show in the background or turn up some tunes, because this will take time.

Here are some common things people forget to clean when they move out:

Floors: Your apartment’s floors might look clean at first glance, but they accumulate a lot of dust and dirt over time. You can thoroughly clean the floors by dusting, vacuuming, and then going over them with an easy-clean mop.

Walls: Walls can also be an easy target for stains and dust, and landlords will check closely. Remove all hooks or tacks you might have put up while you lived there. Do this as gently as possible, so you don’t leave any marks. Go through each room to check you took everything down.

Cabinets: Go through all your cabinets and remove your belongings. Make sure you’ve gotten everything that might have hidden in the back. You might need to stand on a chair to do this.

The Bathroom: Do a super deep clean of your bathroom before you leave. Clean the shower, toilet, mirror, and floors. If you had a shower curtain, you can either clean it or throw it out and put in a new one.

Refrigerator: Don’t forget to throw out all your old food if it’s perishable. Clean all the shelves and drawers to remove stains.

Take a Final Look

Before you turn out the lights and head out for the last time, take one last look around. Embrace feeling a little nostalgia. You’ve made a lot of memories here. Now it’s time to make memories in your new place, and that’s really exciting.

The Ultimate Move Out Cleaning Checklist

To clean your apartment at the end of a rental agreement can be tiresome but it’s a must for any tenant moving out. Regardless if leaving a house or an apartment, furnished or not, in order to get the security deposit back, renters are bound to leave the house in a clean and tidy condition just as it was agreed in the initial rental agreement.

How to clean the kitchen before moving out?

The kitchen is one of the primary areas when it comes to hygiene and that’s where landlords will start any pre-move out inspection

Follow the checklist:

Sterilize and polish all kitchen worktops/countertops, sink and near sink areas;

Clean inside all buffets, drawers and shelving;

Get rid of food waste, carrier bags, and etc.;

Scrub and polish kitchen sinks, faucets,  shine taps;

Take care of any congest limescale;

Scrub, wipe-off and polish wall or worktop tiles;

Get rid of mold growth between grout;

Degrease and scrub the oven inside out or simply book professional valeting;

Remove grease and dirt between the oven doors and glass;

Scrape away filth from extractors and hobs;

Scrub buildup from gas rings and gas control knobs;

Clean your microwave both externally and internally;

Unfreeze the fridge – clean dirt, fungus and any food deposits;

Inspect the washing machine inside and out and wipe rubber insulation at the door;

Wash soap drawers and filters from any buildup of filth;

Clean the dishwasher both inside and out if easy to get through;

Scrub the exterior of all appliances, including the pot and the toaster;

Remove leftovers and rinse trash bins;

Wipe smudges from cupboards, shelving, and drawers;

Stack and arrange silverware, utensils, and tidy the other dishes;

Wash windows from inside, scrub window sills, ledges and frames;

Scrub buildups from woodwork (doors, handles, door frames, furnishing and skirting boards);

Wipe dust from plugs and light switches;

Hoover, mop, and shine your floors.

How to clean your fridge freezer as you leave the property?

Find out if you need to switch off the fridge or freezer before you move out. Details on here are most often a part of the tenancy agreement

For an efficient and thorough clean, do the following chores:

Thaw out your fridge before you clean whatsoever;

Soak up any melted ice and take water out gently not to spill inside or out;

Remove and wash all the shelves, grilles, and slots;

Clean any stains, dirt, or food leftover;

Scrub the fridge and freezer both inside and out;

Clean any dirt and dust that has accumulated underneath and behind;

Wash door handles and rubber seals.

Moving Out Cleaning Checklist

Repair & repaint walls

Repair any broken items – Like blinds, handrails, etc.

Clean the fridge – Defrost it, too.

Clean the kitchen appliances – Including the oven.

Clean furniture – Scrub out stains, wash covers.

Wash windows, blinds and screens

Unpack all drawers and cabinets

Dust everything – Counters, cabinets, fridge-tops…

Scrub everything – Toilets, sinks, counters

Wipe everything down – Use cleaning products (like 409) and polish/wax/finishing where necessary.

Sweep floors & vacuum carpet

Mop floors

Wax floors (if necessary)

Wash carpets (if necessary)

Review – Check for any missed items, stains, and problem areas.

Home & Apartment Cleaning

Most of us can agree that life can be hectic at times. Many of us have lots of things on our plates with our rental properties careers, family life, extracurricular activities and, not to mention, the planned family vacation or weekend getaway.

With everything that’s going on in our everyday lives most of us have very little time to clean our homes and maintain its cleanliness. Not to mention the option to relax and enjoy

HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE OPTIONS

Most of our residential cleaning clients are homeowners in and around the areas have very demanding schedules. They are equally demanding of the quality cleaning done to their homes and we take note of this on every home we invest our time in. There are a few different options as to how often you can have your home cleaned. You can also get your home sanitized to combat various germs and viruses.

Some of our clients are very busy and want their homes cleaned every week. We offer customizable cleaning services to accommodate our clients request and can work with you to meet your each and every cleaning requirement. Our most popular service is biweekly cleanings which tend to be a good balance financially and time in between cleanings. Two cleanings per month is the minimum we suggest for our clients if you are not doing any of the work yourself.

know that when you schedule a maid service, housekeeping service, or house cleaning service through Clean Corp, you are allowing a stranger to enter your home. When you book a house cleaner through our online booking form, you can rest assured that our cleaning rockstars have been vetted before they arrive at your door. You can give your dedicated cleaning professional additional instructions when filling out your cleaning preferences online. If you have particular allergies, or a special requirements for your scheduled cleaning that you prefer, you can easily let your house cleaner know ahead of time. With our hourly cleaning service you can even prioritize the various home cleaning tasks that your cleaner will tackle in the order that you prefer, so you can make sure your biggest concerns will get extra love and attention

MOVING OUT? THE BIG GUIDE FOR CLEANING

This is how you do a good cleaning if you are moving. With a move follows a thorough cleaning of the space you’ve called home for some time. Here is our tips for a good and thorough cleaning. 

Bathroom

Start by using anti clac spray in the toilet and in the shower to remove limescale. Leave it for 1 minute, rinse after and then put the toilet cleaner in the toilet so the toilet can really shine. If you use a toilet cleaner with dye, it is a good idea to use it after you have removed calc so that the color does not settle into the calc in the toilet bowl.

When it comes to the bathroom, we need to scrub often as the tiles are exposed to a lot in daily use. The limescale which comes from your lovely long baths, unfortunately, does not disappear by itself, but with a good limescale remover, it goes like a breeze. Showerhead, hose, and the filter probably also require the use of a good limescale remover. While working in the shower, you can clean the grate and the drain, or else it might have a little surprise for the new owner, which they will probably want to be without. The same goes for the drain in the sink.

Kitchen

All spiderwebs that could be in hooks and corners are removed. The same goes behind the radiators and between the hot plates. All surfaces, cabinets, and drawers are washed off. Also do not forget to wash the cabin in which you keep the trash thoroughly, as there may well be overlooked leftover food and dirt. The same applies to cabinets where there can be a lot of dust and dirt. The sink must also be cleaned and descaled.

Your oven might need a loving hand and a good scrub after all the delicious food you’ve been making in it. Put the oven cleaner in and let it sit for an hour to achieve full effect. Once it has settle into the dirt, use a good brush so that the dirt really gets a fight. Also remember to clean baking trays and grates, using Humdakin’s dish soap, and a good brush for this.

UPHOLSTERY SPOTTING TIPS

Spots and spills on your upholstered furniture are inevitable. But there’s no need to panic. Here are some helpful tips to help you treat various types of accidents.

As with all spot treatments, it’s important to first test a spotting method in an inconspicuous area and wait to see how it dries. If you detect any change in the original color of your fabric or a water ring forms, do not proceed. Instead, contact our office.

While there is a vast array of spotting products on the market, many of these can cause more damage to your fabric than good. Therefore, the safest spotter we regularly recommend to our customers is Folex. This gentle, residue free spotter is safe for carpet, upholstery and even area rugs! For your convenience, we carry bottles of it at our office and on our trucks. In case of emergency, you can also purchase it at most grocery and hardware stores.

Spotting Steps:

Blot up excess moisture from the spill

Lightly blot with cool water (warm water may set the stain)

Lightly dampen a white cloth with cool water and then spritz the cloth with Folex.

Gently blot the affected area of your upholstery being careful not to rub and fray the material.

Let the spot dry.

Prior to treating any pet contamination spots, it is important to test the spotting method in an inconspicuous area so see how your fabric responds. If you see any change in the original color of the fabric or if a water ring forms upon drying, discontinue spotting and call our office for further assistance.

Cleaning Methods & Tips

Here are a few helpful carpet and upholstery cleaning methods and tips for you to try. We specialize in cleaning carpet and furniture fabrics if these methods do not provide the results you hope for.

NOTE: Depending on type and age of carpet or fabric, putting anything on it to clean up a spill could discolour it. This is often true when the whole carpet or furniture piece needs to be cleaned and not just one spot

TIP 1: Only use a white towel, or old clean and well washed towel to blot spills. It has to be absorbent to work properly. Be aware that many fabrics people cut into rags will not work because they are made of fabrics designed to repel staining which is not going to help pick up the stain in your carpet or upholstery.

TIP 2: Blotting up a spill is almost always your best method. Avoid rubbing which can force stains into the fabric making it harder to clean.

General Spills

If you have to clean up a spill, use a towel and place it over the spill.

Step on the towel to blot the spill. Do NOT rub it. Absorbing the stain gently will protect the fibers.

Keep repeating this until dry.

Then mix white vinegar 50/50 with cool water, enough to rinse the area a few times. The vinegar may help to prevent the spill from setting into the fabric and becoming a stain.

Between rinses use more towelling.

Rust

Use some lemon juice you can buy in most grocery stores which has a high acidic level

Drip some lemon juice on the rust spot but do not oversaturate

Use your finger to gently massage the lemon juice into the rust spot

Let this sit for 5 minutes

Return with a white towel and blot the towel on the rust spot

Repeat if necessary.

Pet Stains

Acting quickly to treat urine messes can save your carpet from staining.

Place a white towel on spot to soak up the area and stand on it. Do not rub hard!

Repeat a few times to absorb as much as possible

Mix white vinegar 50/50 with cool water, enough to rinse the area a few times

Between rinses use more toweling

The vinegar mixture rinses your carpet and reduces the risk of discolouration

Useful Tips For Upholstery Cleaning

Upholstery cleaning is one of the best ways to keep your furniture looking good and new. You can easily add a touch of elegance to your home by having your upholstery regularly cleaned. Taking care of your upholstery starts during the buying process. When choosing upholstery, you typically factor in the color of your walls, ceiling, carpet and other furniture. But it is also important to take into account the material from which the upholstery is made.

Upholstery fabric suffers wear and tear over time. It helps to know which material are durable and requires less maintenance. Knowing the upholstery material also helps determine which method of upholstery cleaning to do in the future.

After you’ve done your research about the upholstery materials, you may find that proper maintenance isn’t at all complicated. There are certain cleaning methods you can easily do on your own, while others require the assistance of professionals

The following are some tips to keep in mind while cleaning your upholstery:

• Fresh stains are easier to remove than old ones. This means you should try to remove stains as quickly as possible, when it hasn’t penetrated yet deep into the fabric.

• A common problem with upholstery is faded colors. Aside from daily use, exposure to direct sunlight as well as to bright neon and halogen lights contributes to discoloration.

• Upholstery made out of natural materials are more prone to wear and tear because these materials are usually sensitive to dry air and low humidity.

• Before cleaning the whole upholstery, consider testing on a small, hidden area to see how the material reacts with the product and method you plan to use. This helps you avoid potential damage to the upholstery when you use the wrong product or cleaning method.

• There are three popular mechanical methods of cleaning upholstery: vacuum cleaning, brush cleaning and rub cleaning.

• Use brushes with soft cloth particularly when cleaning smooth and delicate material.

• Experts suggest cleaning from the outside in. Localize the stains and clean them one after another. This should be done regardless of the cleaning method you are using.

• You have the option of using dry or liquid detergents when cleaning fabrics. It is best to do your research and determine which one to use for each upholstery material. Remember that one product may work great for a certain material but cause damage to another.

• For flax upholstery, never use detergents.

These tips should help keep your upholstery clean and fresh. If you don’t have enough experience or you lack access to the necessary products and equipment, then it is best to hire a professional upholstery cleaning service to get the job done for you

Upholstery Cleaning

How to clean upholstery

Professional upholstery cleaning can be expensive, with a typical 8-foot-long sofa costing about $150. That may be worth it for the level of service and expertise you’re getting, but if you know what you’re doing, you can DIY furniture cleaning.

For small furniture messes, DIY upholstery cleaning can save you money and preserve your furniture. Learn what the upholstery tags on your furniture mean before you DIY

Absorb the stain

Don’t let stains set in: It’s important to act quickly if you have a spill. Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or plain white paper towels. Dab, don’t rub, or you risk damaging the fabric. Start at the outside of the spot and continue toward the center to prevent the stain from spreading. Blot until barely damp. Scoop up any semi-solids (like food spills) with a spoon.

Vacuum the furniture

Use all of your vacuum cleaner’s upholstery attachments to thoroughly clean up loose pieces of dirt, pet hair and other debris that can make your furniture dirtier.

Identify the types of stains

Food, dirt, pee or poop (from little ones or pets), wine, coffee and other stains respond well to steam cleaning. More stubborn spots may need more than one treatment. For oil-based or other hard-to-lift stains, chemical-based cleaners are required.

Stain Removal Steps

Act Quickly! Most carpet available today has been treated with a stain-resist treatment in the factory, so many spills can be removed if immediate action is taken. Even with that treatment, spills will still settle in. The longer you wait, the higher the probability is that a spill becomes a permanent stain. Remember, staining is influenced by many factors, and no carpet is completely stain proof.

Blot liquids with a dry, white, absorbent cloth or white paper toweling (no printing).

Don’t scrub it in! Scrubbing may cause pile distortion in the affected area and push the spills deeper. Continue to use a dry cloth or paper towels until the area is completely dry. For semi-solids, gently scrape up with a rounded spoon. Solids should be broken up and vacuumed until completely removed.

Pretest any spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area to be certain the solution will not damage the fiber or the dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white cloth on the wet area for 10 seconds. Examine the carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If a change occurs, another cleaning solution should be selected.

Apply a small amount of the selected cleaning solution to a white cloth and work in gently.

Tips to Select the Right Office Cleaning Company

Maintaining a sanitary and clean office is important to the success of your business. Most companies will hire a professional office cleaning service to address this, rather than hiring a janitor full-time.

Cleaning companies will usually come in after business hours and clean all areas of your office space. You will probably find a large number of cleaning companies in your city, so you will want to be sure you are choosing the right one for you

Take Inventory of Your Needs

The cleaning needs in your office may vary drastically from others. With this being said, it’s important to first take inventory of your cleaning needs before you begin to compare office cleaning companies. How many employees do you have? How many people visit your office per day? Do you have public toilets or are they reserved for employees?

Busted water pipes. Overflowing restrooms. Emergencies happen and one of the first things you will want to know is if your office cleaning company will come in on a moment’s notice to minimise the damage and clean up the mess. Most office cleaning companies in Adelaide, and other the major cities, will provide emergency cleaning services. However you need to be aware that some may charge quite a premium to come to your office in the middle of the night to clean.  Make sure the company you hire is equipped and prepared to handle a wide range of cleaning catastrophes.

Cleaning Supplies

Always determine whether a cleaning company will provide supplies within agreed costs – or will you have to pay extra? Some cleaning companies will bring their supplies and equipment with them, while others prefer you have a supply closet on site where they can keep their materials. While on this subject, be sure you also find out what kinds of supplies they use. If you require green, hypoallergenic or biodegradable products, can the company ensure they will be used 100 per cent of the time?

How to choose a cleaning service

In this article, we’ll walk you through what home staging comprises of (apart from cleaning!), plus discuss the best cleaning services that you can recommend to your clients who want to give home staging a shot. Let’s jump in!

What does home staging entail?

There are various components that come into play with home staging, but by far the most important step is for homeowners to clean and tidy up their homes. It goes without saying – selling a property that’s spick and span is a lot easier than selling a property that looks like it’s owned by a hoarder!

Cleaning aside, home staging also consists of:

“De-personalizing” the space. This basically means getting rid of any personal pictures or memorabilia, and trying to achieve a “blank slate” (think: a stylish but impersonal hotel room). This way, potential viewers can actually picture themselves living in the space.

Styling the space. The closer you can get the property to looking like it belongs on the cover of Home & Decor magazine, the simpler. This isn’t as difficult as it sounds – simply accessorizing with pillows, throws, candles, and other decorative items will do the trick.

A quick and easy way to get started with home staging

Here’s the thing: most folks reach home late at night, and by that time, they’re tired out from work, and not in the mood to do a deep-clean of their apartment. To nudge your clients onto the right track, and help them get started with home staging, why not recommend them a cleaning service that they can use?

On top of that, make sure the vendor’s prices are clearly displayed, with no ambiguity or grey area. A1 Facility Services, for example, displays their pricing plans clearly and transparently on their website; their prices are pegged to the size of the apartment, and they also detail the specific tasks that their cleaners will undertake in a session.

HOW TO CHOOSE A COMMERCIAL CLEANING COMPANY?

These days most companies outsource cleaning services to professional experts. It is easier and at times cost-effective than hiring a full-time team. The cleaning service providers usually work after office hours without disturbing the daily office course.

EXPERIENCE

First and one of the most important things is to focus on the experience of the companies. Having been in the market for quite some time enhances the skills and experience of the experts. This also ensures better results. They must have had exposure to various cleaning requirements of commercial, industrial, as well as residential segments.

REPUTATION

Trust is very important when hiring a cleaning company. Yes, the latter is responsible for working meticulously that too with very less guidance or inspection, but you need to be sure that they are trustworthy.

SERVICES OFFERED

It is important to understand all the services provided by the companies you have shortlisted. Initially, you may not require all the facilities but you wouldn’t want to run around looking for more options when you need them. Therefore, besides the basic cleaning, vacuuming, and dusting get the details of all the cleaning services provided by the companies.

TRAINED STAFF

Cleaning is not just a normal process. It requires qualified and trained experts. quality and safety have to be given utmost priority, hence, regular training is required. The on-site working staff should be professional and be able to take complete care of themselves, the property, the inhabitants, and the environment around.

How To Choose A Commercial Cleaning Company

Cleaning times.  The number of hours spent cleaning determines quality.  Franchises and contracting companies don’t use their own employees and have no way of knowing or controlling how many hours are actually spent cleaning.  Privately owned companies hire their own employees and can monitor their hours to make sure they are spending sufficient time cleaning.

Standardized equipment and supplies.  Franchises and subcontracting companies have no way of knowing or controlling the type of equipment and supplies that are being used because they aren’t providing the service themselves.  They leave that up to the franchisee or subcontractor that accepts the job.  Privately owned companies purchase their own equipment and supplies and have direct control over what their employees are using to clean your facility. 

W2 employees.  Privately owned companies hire and train their own W2 employees to perform the work.  They can perform background checks and get references on the employees they hire.  Franchises and subcontracting companies do not hire their own employees and have no control over who is hired to clean your facility.

Quality control.  Privately owned companies supervise and inspect their own employees work.  They can monitor their own staff to make sure they are complying with the company’s cleaning practices.  Franchises and subcontractors have little control over the quality of work performed by the cleaning crews because they can’t supervise or monitor the cleaning crews themselves.

How to Choose the Right Commercial Cleaning Company

A clean, sanitary and disinfected office, business facility or commercial building is necessary for success, good image and to guarantee the health and safety of employees, clients and all visitors. Your customers demand it and your employees will thank you for it – and so will your productivity rate. But one of the most important questions is: How do you choose the correct commercial cleaning company?

The most practical, smart and cost-effective option: you can choose to outsource cleaning responsibilities to a local cleaning business. When you hire a commercial cleaning company, the company conducts cleaning after-hours (or at regular intervals in highly trafficked facilities), and the cleaning services company is responsible for tidying up, from cleaning restrooms, vacuuming, to restocking consumables, removing trash and disinfecting highly touched areas. But there is more…

Outsourcing a local cleaning provider offers numerous benefits. Businesses can avoid hiring an on-staff or salaried janitor or avoid cleaning the facilities themselves without the proper protocols. Plus, the cleanliness of your business is guaranteed with knowledge, experience, the right products, procedures and all the required licenses. Your office will always look tidy, professional and most importantly correctly disinfected and sanitized.

Reputation and Experience

Trust is necessary when hiring a business property cleaner. This company’s employees will be on your site, most frequently, after hours, after you and your employees have gone home for the day. Plus, the company is responsible for working diligently with minimal supervision from your part

Training and Screening

The best commercial property cleaners take training seriously! They work only with the most qualified and trustworthy cleaners, and they provide them with ample training to ensure quality, safety and clients satisfaction.

Things to Look for When Choosing a Carpet Cleaning Company

How to choose the right carpet cleaner…

Over the years, we’ve had countless phone calls from people panicking and upset after receiving a service from a carpet cleaning company that didn’t produce the results that they promised. It’s always frustrating for us to hear that another local carpet cleaner has taken the money of a customer that trusted them with their property, only to then leave them back at square one, out of pocket and stressed.

Are they professionally trained through the IICRC or NCCA? Don’t feel embarrassed to ask. If they’re trained professionally, they’ll be more than happy to show you their certificates.

Are they insured? This one is important. Find out if the carpet cleaner is insured and if they have Treatment Risk as part of their cover. If not, they’re not covered to service your property and you should look elsewhere for a carpet cleaner.

Do they have past testimonials? If the company has testimonials and reviews from past clients, it’s worth taking a look. Most good companies will have a Facebook page, Google Business page or website where you can find reviews to look at.

What equipment do they use? A professional carpet cleaning service requires professional carpet cleaning equipment. Look on their website for pictures of large, shopping trolley-sizes machinery. A lightweight machine that can be easily carried is not going to be enough for a thorough clean.

Choosing a Professional Carpet Cleaner

Maybe you have never had your carpets cleaned, and you want to make sure you choose the best company for the job, or perhaps you are just sick of choosing lousy carpet cleaners who leave your carpets “clean” but are worse off six months later. Whatever the reason, you came to the right place. Here are 5 things you should look for when you are wondering how to choose a professional carpet cleaner.

What carpet cleaning products are they using?

Cheap harsh chemicals can make your carpet look clean for a while, but these chemicals can be hazardous to your family or pets. You should ask you carpet cleaner if their products are safe for children and pets. Chemicals are not the only problem though. You should also ask if they will be using soap or detergent to clean your carpet. If the answer is yes, you will need to ask them how they intend to remove the detergent or soap entirely! If they do not remove the residue from these products, you may wind up with crunchy carpets, or worse, dirt-attracting residue in your carpet.

What carpet cleaning tools are they using?

There are a few tools that may be used for carpet cleaning, and they are not all made equal. Steam cleaners can be useful if the water and residue can be fully extracted, but this is hard to achieve, and you will usually be left with flooded carpet that takes quite some time to dry. It also leads to residue left behind on the carpet. Another type of tool is a dry cleaner. This tool first requires a pre-spray which also gets the carpet wet. Then a buffer pad is used to buff the stains out. Quite frankly it doesn’t work anywhere near as well as an extraction wand. Dry carpet cleaning methods are not approved by leading carpet manufacturers and will void your warranty. A hot extraction wand is the best option for carpet cleaning. It will run water through the carpet fibers and suck it out quickly, so you do not get flooded carpets

How is the company’s customer support on the phone?

This may seem like a strange one, but a phone call can tell you all you need to know about working with a carpet cleaning professional. When the company answers the phone, are they polite and professional? Alternatively, did you get just a hello, if you just got a hello you may have reached someone on their cell phone. Now, this does not immediately make their service terrible, but it may not be as professional. Regardless, ask some questions about your needs and verify if the person on the other line is excited to be helping you or bothered by your questions. If you sense bothered, time to call someone else. You want to make sure you are getting your carpets cleaned by someone who will listen to your concerns and get the job done the way you want!

What are customers saying about them?

You have to be careful when you look at reviews, a few reviews can be faked, but it is hard to make up many reviews on a reputable website, although even this is possible. The best thing to do is look at reviews from multiple sources like Google, Yelp, and Facebook. It is also essential you read some reviews, do not just take into account the star rating. What were the customer’s problems and concerns, what did the customers like about the carpet cleaning professionals? Reviews are a quick and easy way to get some insight about the quality of the carpet cleaner. If you want a pro tip: use the ctrl+f feature on your computer to look for specific reviews for your need. For example, you may have pets and want to see what other pet owners thought. Use ctrl+f and search “pet” then those reviews will be highlighted making it easier to find relevant reviews for your needs.

How to Choose the Best Carpet Cleaning Company

A home without a good carpet cannot be considered to be complete. It is the carpet that gives it that attractive look that makes one feel like they want to spend most of their time indoors. Despite the fact that carpets are useful, if they are not kept in good condition, then there is a possibility that might not be very interesting to look at.

Experience

Choosing a carpet cleaning company that has been in the cleaning industry for a long time places you in a good position of getting quality services. This because if a cleaning company has done the same job for a long time, then it means they have explored all the methods that can be possibly used and they, therefore, know the best ones to employ for your work. Also, the company that has been in the cleaning industry for a long time is not likely to make silly mistakes.

Facilities

You also need to consider the kind of equipment that the cleaning company will be using to cleaning a rug or rugs  that you intend to assign them. Good cleaning companies need to have modern equipment that will make it possible form to leave your rugs spotlessly clean. Some companies tend to use cheap cleaning methods and facilities to do the cleaning. The effect of this is that they end up interfering with the quality of your carpets and lowering their value.

Accreditations

Most homeowners treat the cleaning services as casual work and they, therefore, do not expect the services providers to have any formal education. That is a casual notion that you need to dispel from your mind. You need to make sure that you are dealing with professionals who are accredited to offer the cleaning services. Ask them to show you all the necessary certifications that make them legitimate.

Reputation

Sometimes you can know the quality of the services that you are going to get by looking at the reputation of the company. For instance, if the cleaning company in question has been offering quality services, there are chances that you will also get the same if you hire them. The reverse of that is very true.

How to Choose a Carpet Cleaning Company

From super  low prices and high pressure sales to unqualified technicians and near worthless methods. How do you ever find a qualified, competent professional carpet cleaner?

I will give you an understanding of the importance of correct carpet cleaning, not just for appearance, but to insure your family’s health and that your carpet will not be damaged as well. You will be able to make a more informed and intelligent decision.

Reputation

Check references to find out what others have thought of the service delivered by a company. This can be found by searching the internet for reviews. Another place to look is to use social media websites. This will give you an indication of the general reputation that a company has developed while being in business.

Education

Sadly, there are lot of people doing carpet cleaning that have not had any formal training in how to correctly clean carpets. In Australia, it is not a requirement to have any certification before operating. It then falls on you as the person hiring a carpet cleaner to ensure that the person arriving to clean your carpets knows what they are doing. There is a certification system which will give you an indication that carpet cleaners know what they are doing. This is the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification)

Experience

In addition to having been trained correctly, there is a lot of value in experience. Over time, a technician will hone what he has learnt while putting his knowledge to practice. The only problem is if a technician does not have the correct knowledge to start with, experience is of little value if he has never been able to produce an effective product in cleaning carpet

How to Choose the Right Carpet Cleaning Company

In today’s modern world the internet is most people’s go-to when looking to hire a service. You will find the internet saturated with carpet cleaning companies, however not all are reputable, trained, or honest. It is essential to be informed before making a decision on who to hire

Choosing a carpet cleaner based on equipment alone.

Sure proper equipment is necessary to do a good job, however if the operator is not properly trained the best equipment in the world won’t do what it is supposed to do. The best way to know that the carpet cleaner have been properly trained is to make sure the cleaner has been certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Before you choose a carpet cleaner, ask to see written proof of the company’s and the technician’s IICRC certification.

Choosing a carpet cleaner based on low price.

Lowest price could mean a very costly mistake in three ways:

Low price is the bait that gets you to call & schedule the appointment. Once in your home, you are pressured into a more expensive job.

Lowest price can be for  a ‘single-process’ Once explained, the customer is pressured to purchase the more expensive “dual/deluxe process ” (Illegal “bait-and-switch”).

Lowest price probably means the carpet cleaner has minimal skills, will be using the cheapest chemicals and inferior equipment – you could actually be paying them to ruin your carpets or soft furnishings!

Choosing a carpet cleaner based on a single telephone call.

As with choosing any service provider it is always a good idea to check the credentials of the carpet cleaning company before you invite them into your home. How long have they been in business? Do they offer firm, written quotations prior to performing any services? Make sure to get references & read comments from current clients. These are all important considerations to avoid becoming the victim of high-pressure sales tactics when the technician steps into your home.

Choosing a carpet cleaner that doesn’t offer a money-back guarantee.

Inexperienced cleaners have all kinds of reasons why they would never offer a guarantee: “What if the carpet is 20 years old and has permanent stains? – I’ll lose my shirt.

Choosing the Right Commercial Window Cleaner

Finding a Great Value Commercial Window Cleaner

Business premises are a big part of a business’ image. So, what does your building say about your business? Not only is a clean a shining building important for your clients, it’s also important for your employees. When people come to work, it helps to have a shiny premises that everyone can feel proud of.

At Bax, our commercial window cleaning service proposes to do just that—to maximise the value of your premises by making the exterior of buildings as clean as possible. We believe that this signals quality to all the stakeholders of your business.

That’s why some cleaners don’t make the cut when it comes to commercial window cleaning. From estimate, quote to clean—cheap commercial window cleaners won’t leave a lasting result, which will ultimately reflect badly on your business. This guide will offer a few tips and tricks to finding the right commercial window cleaner for your business premises.

Getting an estimate and quote

As a commercial decision, it’s always prudent to get a number of quotes when looking for a commercial window cleaner. The estimation and quote stage is an early opportunity to judge how professional and thorough a commercial window cleaning service will be. After all, if they are not meticulous at this stage, they will not take the extra time for your windows!

Avoiding cheap cleaners

The proposed price is not the end of the story—it’s what you get for that price which really matters. Naturally, cheap commercial window cleaners cut costs by cutting the quality of their work. This could be on equipment, cleaning products, or even the overall effort. This runs the risk of leaving windows dirty, streaked and spotty with water and soap residue.

Tips on choosing a window cleaning company

A professional window cleaning company will save you time, money and reach those windows that you can’t reach. We all like to see the wide world, especially when doing the home duties on a clear summers day. Achieving the results you desire, may require professional assistance

Safety – Are you being honest when you say you can clean your windows safely? Are you able to reach all the windows, even those above a roof, or extension?

Time – Do you have the correct equipment and experience to carry the job out in a safe and timely manner? Hiring a professional will save you on time and proficiency.

Quality – We have all seen the gadgets currently available on the market, firstly they are not designed for external window cleaning above ground floor. Does you equipment purchased at a local convenience store leave streaks? There is a reason professionals use professional equipment, like water fed pole window cleaning, safe and streak free.

Always ask you window cleaner for credentials

No matter the tradesman you’re hiring, ask for details of their insurance, this way you know you’re hiring a profitable company with your and their best interests at heart.

What is the Best Way to Clean Windows and How to Choose Good Window Cleaning Services?

The right windows add a unique style to your interiors. However, it is equally important to take care of those windows otherwise, you could end up battling hygiene issues. If you are trying to find out the best way to clean windows, nothing beats a professional company. But if you would rather clean them by yourself, here are a few tips you can take into account.

Wash your windows using good equipment to get streak-free results. A squeegee, good quality scrubber and microfiber cloths are some of the basic things you need to master the best way to clean windows.You can use a razor-blade mounted on a holder to get rid of labels or specks of paint. However, don’t use this method on tempered glass.Mild household abrasives can be used to clean tough glass stains and built-up mineral deposits.Always remove dirt and dust first with a vacuum or a brush. Follow this up with wiping or rinsing.Use good quality cleaners and spritz generously.

Is professional window cleaning worth it?

While many homeowners may think cleaning their own windows, the benefits of professional window cleaning are significant. To begin, hiring a professional instead of wondering how to power wash windows can actually save you plenty of time and effort. At the same time, professional help ensures sparkling, flawless results, making it the best way to clean windows

What do professional window cleaners use?

Professionals are familiar with an array of tricks and techniques that are best suited for high or low rise window cleaning. They first analyze the type of windows that you need cleaned and evaluate the amount of dust/dirt that needs to be washed off. Based on their initial evaluation, they then proceed with their methods that may include several tools and equipment best suited to your specific requirements. Cleaning solutions, vinegar, mops, different kinds of wipers and buckets are just a few of the tools that help professional window cleaners do their job properly.

What is the proper way to clean windows?

There are multiple ways to that can be called as the best ways to clean windows. However, it is better to hire professionals who are well-versed with different kinds of window cleaning processes. These include power-washing and scrubbing among others.

How to Choose the Best Window Cleaning Company

Anybody with a squeegee, bucket and a window mop can call themselves a window cleaner. However, getting the services of a professional window cleaning company is paramount. Choosing professional window cleaners ensures that your windows remain clean and in top quality for an extended period. With the many companies that are offering window cleaning services, it can be tough to choose the best one. The service, price, and quality are some of the main things you should consider before hiring any window cleaning services. Continue reading the article below to get more insights that will help you to decide fully.

Service and Experience

The duration of time that the company has been in existence matters a lot. Go through customer reviews. References work well when getting the best company. Ask past clients any questions that may give you clues about the quality of service the given company provides. The cleaning company should also provide a list of references from satisfied customers.  Best-quality window cleaning that uses approved cleaners for various types of windows is a recommended service. The cleaning exercise should also be reliable and fast. Choose a company that offers concentration to detail. The cleaners should wipe the windows frames, seals, and screens clean without leaving any dark marks. A company that has a list of references is also proving its authenticity and experience.

Safety

Safety is a significant factor to think about when appointing a company that will clean your house windows.  Check the last time the company workers were involved in an accident. The best company should have professional, insured employees with full proper background checks. Employees who are respectful, efficient, well groomed, and competent at what they carry out should be your first choice. It also ensures that your home or business will get protected during the window cleaning exercise. You don’t want to hire a cleaning company that employs thieves who are masquerading as cleaners.

Certification

Check if the company you want to hire has all the required documents. Do not overlook documents such as licenses and work permits. These factors are essential as they ensure that you hire a company that has the necessary insurance policy. The company should prove to you that they have a valid insurance policy. Since window cleaning is a job that involves high risks, an accident at your home during cleaning can make you accountable for the injury. Make sure the company bears the liability in case of an accident. Do not employ any company that does not have these qualifications.

Price

The best window cleaning company should provide reasonable and competitive prices. Services offered by the cleaning company should go hand in hand with their prices. It is advisable to research thoroughly before choosing the best company to clean your windows. Although you may want to save money, an appealing cheap price may not be the best for you. Some of the competitive companies may not take any liability in case of accidents at your property

How to Choose Your Window Washer

Washing windows isn’t most people’s favorite task, they love it when their windows are clean, they just don’t want to be the one doing the cleaning.

A good place to start is to check their reputation. It’s easy these days by simply using the internet. Because people do a lot of their shopping and hiring online, they depend on reviews. You can check on a potential cleaner’s website, on Bing, Yelp, Google and many other sources. It’s important to hire someone you trust will do a good job for you, someone who has a good reputation.

Choosing a window cleaner based on a displayed price alone is a not the best idea, it could be misleading as to what you will or will not get for the displayed price.

Does someone need to come to your home or can they give you an estimate over the phone if you can provide them with how many windows there, how many stories and the type of windows you have.

Choosing the right window washer may take a few moments of time, but in the end, you will be glad you did, because you will have someone you can depend on and someone you can build a good professional relationship with