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Green Cleaning – Great for You AND the Environment

Great for You AND the Environment

Green cleaning – most have heard of it, these days. Why should you care about green cleaning?  Daily, we are hearing more and more in the news about the importance of being safe for the environment. Keeping the environment healthy, keeps you and your families healthy, too. Cincinnati Maintenance believes that every home should be as “green” as possible. At the least, strive to maintain your home in a clean, safe, “green” way.
With your health and the environment our top priority, the products we use and how we use them are good for your home AND your family.
Cincinnati Maintenance uses green-certified products when we clean your home or office.  We want the healthiest possible environment for you– whether it’s a regular maintenance cleaning or a complete restoration. A perk of the green products we use is that your carpets dry very quickly and this eliminates mold or other biological growth.
There are no gasoline-burning engines during cleaning services and we use only HEPA filtration vacuums on every job. Our products and techniques ensure that your home is taken care of in the “greenest” way possible. That’s great for you AND the environment.

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Ink on your Carpet? Don't Panic

Ink on your Carpet? Don't Panic

When dealing with ink, we at Cincinnati Maintenance recommend a two-part system. First, blot with a clean towel to get up what you can. (This rule of thumb applies to almost every type of spill – and, remember, BLOT, don’t scrub!)
Then, you will need two spray bottles. Fill the first one up with water and add one drop of liquid dish detergent. In the other bottle, fill halfway with water and the other half with white distilled vinegar. Spray the spot to be cleaned with the detergent mixture, and use a towel to blot up spot even more.
You may also use a brush to tamp the spot to encourage color transfer. When spot is gone, spray vinegar mix on carpet and blot again. Remember, less is more. Use too much detergent and you will have a residue left on the rug or clothing or whatever is being cleaned. Owner Eddie Susshine says, “Rubbing alcohol can and has worked for me in the past, but I feel the two part cleaning system works best. I would not use any type of oil based cleaning agent. For example, WD-40 will definitely leave a harmful residue behind if not properly rinsed.”
Don’t panic! If you need professional assistance, contact Eddie Susshine right away – he’s here to help!

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How to Handle A Fingernail Polish Disaster!

How to Handle a Fingernail Polish Disaster

When dealing with paint or nail polish, the question of how to handle depends on how long the spot has been there. Both paint and fingernail polish are  typically are petroleum based, so the cleaning process is basically the same.
If someone spills a bottle of nail polish on the floor and its hard surface, quickly and liberally sprinkle sugar on top of it.! The sugar will absorb 99% of the product. What’s left over can be carefully cleaned with nail polish remover or acetone. However, NEVER directly apply nail polish remover or acetone to the surface that is being cleaned. Always apply the nail polish remover or acetone to a clean cloth and blot the spot
On fabric, nail polish remover and acetone, if applied directly to the carpet or fabric, can de-laminate the fibers, meaning the glue that is holding the fibers together may deteriorate and the carpet fibers will start to fall out or the upholstered fabric will become weak and possibly tear. If the paint or fingernail polish is wet, blot with a damp towel. Do not scrub because the stain will just get larger. Always work from the outside of the spot towards the center. When you cannot get any more transfer to the towel, then use the nail polish remover/acetone. Depending on how old the carpet is and how frequently it has been cleaned will definitely determine how well the spot will clean up. If the carpet is old and has not been cleaned regularly, then the dye-sets of the fibers are most likely open and ready to accept other dyes readily.
What we highly recommend – because of the petroleum content of paint and nail polish as well as because acetone or nail polish remover can do damage to hard surfaces, carpet fibers and upholstery unless it is handled very. very carefully – is in the case of this type of disaster, contact your professional cleaning company immediately to assist you. Contact Cincinnati Maintenance for these tough situations!

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How to Quickly Address a Coffee Spill

How to Quickly Address a Coffee Spill

Oh, man! A coffee spill on your carpet. Great way to start the day, huh?
Addressing a coffee stain can be very tricky. Depending on the type of coffee, it has the potential for permanently staining fibers. Did you know that deluxe or supreme blended coffee as well as decaf coffee all have artificial dyes to make the color uniform? (Makes you think, doesn’t it?)
To try to take care of it yourself, we at Cincinnati Maintenance recommend a two-part approach:
First, blot with a clean towel to get up what you can. Now, you will need two spray bottles. Fill the first one with water and one drop of liquid dish detergent. Fill the other bottle with equal parts of water and white distilled vinegar. Spray the area with the detergent mixture and use another clean towel to blot the stain. You may also use a brush to “tamp” the spot. Once you no longer see the coffee spot, spray the vinegar/water mixture on the carpet and blot. Remember, less is more. Using too much detergent will leave a residue. We do not recommend any type of oil-based cleaning agent. For example, WD-40 will definitely leave a residue behind if not properly rinsed (which is hard in itself to do!)
If the coffee stain is on a light-colored carpet and there is still a little color, you can MIST 3% hydrogen peroxide over the spot and blot. And, we mean mist only. You cannot use too much because it is a bleaching agent.
As always, feel free to contact Cincinnati Maintenance to discuss your carpet and upholstery cleaning needs, schedule an appointment, or receive a free estimate.
 

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That Delicious Goodness Isn't So Good for your Carpet and Furniture

That Delicious Goodness isn't so Good for your Carpet and Furniture

We’ve all done it. You know, had a delcious, buttery piece of corn on the cob on your plate and began carrying it to the couch to eat while watching your favorite TV show. Oops, the corn rolls right off the plate, hits the couch and then lands on the carpet. Ugh!
When dealing with oily spots or spills, corn starch or baking soda will be your best friend. They will absorb most if not all of the oil.  The main trick is to take care of the oily stain immediately!
Here are some simple steps to follow get that butter or oily stain out:
First, try to scrape off as much of the oily offender as you can.  The back of a butter knife is a great tool for this.
Then, sprinkle the stain with baking soda or cornstarch.  Let the absorbent baking soda (or cornstarch) sit there for maybe half an hour. Be SURE to vacuum it up thoroughly. Hopefully at this point, most of the oily residue has been lifted.
Time to clean it now with water and a mild dishwashing liquid. NOTE: always, always, always test your cleaning mixture in an inconspicuous spot before applying to carpet or upholstery. Use a white cloth to apply the soapy mixture and a new cloth to rinse well with water. Always blot, don’t rub.
If the oily stain is persistent, please feel free to call Cincinnati Maintenance for advice or to have us come out and take care of it for you!
 

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Your Furniture is Important, too!

Your Furniture is Important, too!

Your furniture is important, too!
So, how often should you clean your upholstery? We at Cincinnati Maintenance recommend professionally cleaning upholstery every 8-12 months. Especially for people who have pets or small children.
People eat on their couches, they sweat on their couches, dogs and cats sleep or lie on the couches (think pet dander, hair and drool — ewww!).  In fact, upholstery, for the most part, can be dirtier than carpet!
Look at it this way: how often do you vacuum your carpets? Now, how often do you vacuum your upholstery?  People sit on their furniture just as often as they walk on the carpet the furniture is placed on, but it’s likely that the carpet gets vacuumed far more often…
Add your furniture to your vacuuming schedule and have your upholstery professionally cleaned a minimum of once per year.  It will make a tremendous difference in the cleanliness, look and lifespan of your furniture!
 

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Having Carpet Installed? Things to Know

Having Carpet Installed- Things to Know

New home? Remodeling? Great! It’s an exciting time and “picking out” carpet and other features is a lot of fun. When it’s time for your carpet to be installed, here are a few things to know:
Have your old carpet removed and properly disposed of – if possible, recycle!
There is a great website for Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) that can assist you in finding proper disposal means in your area.
Decide on who will do your installation. 
Most likely, where you purchase your new carpet provides installation or recommedations for installers.  Be sure to look for professional installers who are certified and who follow professional protocals for carpet installation.
Be sure to keep fresh air moving after installation.
Ventilate the area well where your new carpet has been installed by opening windows and running fans or the fan of your AC. The new carpet “smell” will dissipate quickly with proper ventilation.
Care for your new carpet!
Always vacuum your carpet on a regular timetable, and Cincinnati Maintenance‘s recommendation is to have it deep cleaned by a professional a minimum of once per year (twice is better if you have children and/or pets).

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Regular Carpet Cleaning Helps with Allergies and Asthma

Regular Carpet Cleaning Helps with Allergies and Asthma

Your home’s indoor air quality is important. Especially if you or someone in your family have allergies or asthma. Some people believe that having zero carpet reduces allergies in the home. That may or may not be true, as other experts have indicated that carpet increases air quality because it traps known allergens and keeps them out of your home’s air space.
Whichever is actually true in your home and for your family, if you do have carpet, keeping it clean is the best way to reduce the annoying sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, etc., of allergies and may even help reduce asthma issues as well.
The first step is yours: be sure to regularly vacuum your carpets. The majority of loose, dry soil and other materials can be removed with regular vacuuming.
Your next step is regular deep carpet cleaning. As we indicated in a blog post last year, a good rule of thumb for homes with pets and families is to have your carpets cleaned every 6-12 months.
Keeping your home’s air quality at its best depends on a lot of factors. Cleaning your carpets regularly is a great step to improved air and hopefully less sneezing!

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Protect Your Entryway!

Protect Your Entryway!

Last December, I blogged about protecting the entryway of an office or commercial building with mats to help keep the area clean and to protect the floor of this high-traffic area. Your home deserves the protection  too!
Nothing says “home” like a welcome mat in front of the front door. But does the welcome mat really do its job in protecting your foyer floor once you head indoors?
The solution is simple and affordable. Protect your high-traffic area – the entrance to your largest investment – with an indoor rug or mat. Problem solved!
Obviously, a gorgeous area rug sounds glamorous compared to the words “entryway mat,” but the results can be the same: keep your home’s entry inviting and clean with a properly sized floor covering of your choice.
If you have children who are in and out all day with their friends, you probably want to hold off on an expensive or antique rug in your foyer. Luckily, entryway rugs or mats can be found in discount stores all the way to high-end boutique settings. So, your choices are endless!
Have fun perking up your home decor while protecting your flooring at the same time!

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Tips for Storing an Area Rug

Tips for Storing an Area Rug

Lots of people ask me how to store an area rug. Either they want to redecorate and don’t want to get rid of a favorite rug or they are moving and need to temporarily store it away — whatever the reason, there are a few things you should know before you store your rug — whether it’s in an attic, basement or in a storage unit.
Never store away an unclean rug.  Never, ever.
First of all, you don’t want to attract any bugs or pests with an unclean run. Finding a pest infestation in a rug you painstakingly stored is a nightmare.
Be sure to have the rug cleaned to remove all dirt, soil and grime. This not only helps repel any insects but it also saves the rug fibers.
Storing a rug that has been properly cleaned also helps protect against dry rot. The key word here is properly. If you DIY, be sure there is no type soapy residue left in the fibers.
Lastly, please never, ever store a rug that is damp in any way. This will lead to mold, mildew, odor and big trouble.
To roll or not to roll?
Depending on the space you have to store your area rug, you will need to face the decision: to roll or not to roll the rug.
Folding rugs can help save on storage space but can also cause major stress to the rug fibers. If you absolutely have to fold a rug, you can try to minimize the stress by having the rug folded with fibers facing outward which means the foundation will bend a little less.
If you are able, it is a good idea to roll the rug tightly. Again, to lessen the stress on the fragile or antique rugs, try to roll it with the fiber pile on the outside.  Less fragile area rugs can be rolled just fine with the fibers facing in.
Some people choose to wrap the rug in paper, which is fine, but discuss with a specialist which type of paper would be best, because you don’t want paper that bugs really go for. Rolling a rug in plastic is not the optimal choice because it can trap moisture or create moisture through condensation. Sometimes plastic can even cause rugs with any wool content to “sweat” and that creates a bad odors or, worse, the dreaded mold and mildew.
A few extra tips:
If at all possible, store your area rugs in a climate controlled storage unit or space.
Do not place items on top of a stored rug. Crushing the rug in this manner can damage the rug’s foundation and lead to cracking and other problems.
If we at Cincinnati Maintenance can ever answer any questions for you about storing your area rugs, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
 
 
 
 

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