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Wicking. What is it and how to stop it. For Good.

Stubborn stains can bothersome.  Have you ever tried to remove stains on your own only to discover those stains reappear after a cleaning?  Let’s learn more about the process.

 

When there is a spill that’s rather significant the stain on the surface of your carpet is often smaller in size that what settles on the backing. Wicking is an action that draws soil from the backing of the carpet or substrate to the surface of the carpet fibers.

 

As moisture evaporates stains walk up the carpet fibers when the drying process has occurred. This causes the stain to “wick” back up to the surface.  

 

As if this problem isn’t enough, residues from cleaning solutions can also attract soil after cleaning.  This will leave you with a never ending, frustrating process with a stain that seems to never go away!!

 

Our low moisture cleaning process in 90% of the time will resolve these issues. Since less water is being used the likelihood of stains “wicking” back to the surface is significantly reduced. This is due in part by not allowing any water to soak the carpet backing. Also, this is a very green process and the chemistry we use doesn’t leave a residue behind.

 

Additional steps may be taken to rapid dry the area with additional bonnet absorption.

 

If you have stubborn stains that seem to never go away, get in touch with us to discuss your cleaning and maintenance solutions.

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Low Moisture or Encapsulation Cleaning is Best

There are different methods of professional carpet cleaning. We at Cincinnati Maintenance prefer low-moisture encapsulation. Why? Because Low Moisture or Encapsulation cleaning is the most safe and advanced way to clean and maintain carpet. It dries fast; it’s PH balanced; and there is no chemical residue – therefore is wayyyyyy better for the environment AND for your own home or business.
However, whether you choose hot water extraction or encapsulation cleaning, please consider the following:

  • Pre-vacuuming should be required by the technician. If you hire a professional and they do not begin by dry vacuuming first, send them on their way before they do anything more. Seriously.
  • Request non-toxic, “green” pre-sprays and cleaners. Cincinnati Maintenance often uses Procyon Brand carpet and tile cleaning products to produce amazing cleaning results.  These cleaners are soap free and derived from various plant based ingredients. This helps eliminate any type of chemical exposure whatsoever.
  • Carpet grooming: The crimp and twist of the carpet is set at the mills with either a wet or dry heat.  When professionals clean with heat, the setting from the mills can be disrupted.  Post Grooming can help prevent harming the carpet fibers.

Cincinnati Maintenance is dedicated to staying current on all of the best products and best practices to help keep your home and business clean AND safe.

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Wicking: Wha-what?

Wicking: Wha-what?
What the heck is “wicking?”
Well, have you ever had your carpets cleaned – particularly a specific stain – and it looks great but in a few days, that stubborn stain mysteriously shows back up? Annoying as all get-out for sure – that’s wicking.
Wicking is caused when a stain has penetrated deep into the carpet.  Then, when the carpet cleaned – commonly by a “wet” (water) extraction method – the part of the stain that has deeply penetrated the carpet is not completely removed.  After this “wet” type of cleaning is performed and the carpet has dried, the residual portion of the soiled area “wicks” its way to the surface of the carpet fibers. Darn it! – and you’re likely out the money for that professional cleaning you just paid for.
The GREAT news is that with Cincinnati Maintenance’s green, low moisture technology, dry time is often only 45-90 minutes and also prevents that nasty wicking or reappearance of a nasty, stubborn stain.
Contact Cincinnati Maintenance today to take advantage of our low moisture cleaning process – a deep clean that is truly just that – a deep clean that dries fast!

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Have You Received Bad Carpet Cleaning Advice?

Everyone has advice for everyone these days – and they post it all over social media, too! Have you received bad advice about carpet cleaning? We at Cincinnati Maintenance are often told things from our Cincinnati area customers that they’ve “heard” or “been told” about their carpets, and some of this advice is just not true! Here are a few examples:
“My carpet doesn’t look too dirty, so it does not need a deep, professional cleaning.”
Did you know that if you wait for that big stain or spill for a professional cleaning – that if you don’t clean your carpets because they “look fine,”  – you may be risking carpet damage and a shorter lifespan of your carpet investment? Dirt, grime, soil, and pet hair/dander can make its way deep into your carpet fibers, and, while you may not see it if you are vacuuming regularly, this can do damage deep within your carpet. Having a deep, professional cleaning extends the life of your carpets.
“Carpet shrinks when you get it professionally cleaned.”
Actually, carpet can shrink if it is not properly cleaned by a professional who is trained and uses appropriate equipment and products. When improper cleaning leads to improper drying time, that’s when the threat of shrinkage becomes viable. Cincinnati Maintenance’s technicians are certified, are highly trained, and use a low-moisture method with appropriate, “clean,” “green” products to ensure your carpets are cared for in a manner that produces good, safe results.
Contact Cincinnati Maintenance today for a free estimate.

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Low Moisture Cleaning is AWESOME!

Low Moisture Cleaning is AWESOME!

Cincinnati Maintenance’s Low Moisture or Encapsulation cleaning is the safest and most advanced technique to clean and maintain carpet.  Here are some benefits:

  • Carpets dry fast! Your home or business gets back to “normal” quickly!
  • No complex chemical processes. Most Encapsulation cleaners are pH balanced and usually do not require rinsing agents.
  • Carpet is left fresh and clean with no chance of chemical residues being left behind to attract unwanted soil.
  • This technique is environmentally safe. Low Moisture cleaning also cuts out waste of thousands of gallons of water.
  • Carpet dries in 45-to-90 minutes compared to 4-to-12  hours with conventional methods.

Cincinnati Maintenance offers  free estimates for your cleaning needs. Call us today at (513) 827-6150 or email [email protected]. You can also complete our online contact form.
 

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A Little Bit about "Wicking" – What is It and How to Deal with It

A Little Bit about "Wicking"

So, let’s talk about “wicking.”  On Monday we blogged about low moisture carpet cleaning. Cincinnati Maintenance is a big believer in this type of carpet cleaning which is also called encapsulation. You can see from that blog that we usually adhere to this type of cleaning because it dries fast, is non-toxic, and does not create a large “footprint” in the enviroment.
But, there is another reason we employ the encapsulation technique when serving our residential and commercial clients. It’s called “wicking.”
And, you don’t want it. Wicking, that is.
Have you ever had your carpets cleaned – particularly a specific stain – and it looks great but in a few days, that stubborn stain mysteriously shows back up? Frustrating, huh?  Well, THAT’S wicking.
Wicking is caused when a stain is created – usually from a spill – and it has penetrated deep into the carpet.  Then, when the carpet cleaned – commonly by a “wet” (water) extraction method – the part of the stain that has deeply penetrated the carpet is not completely removed.  After this type of cleaning is performed and the carpet has dried, the residual portion of the soiled area “wicks” its way to the surface of the carpet fibers.
Then, BAM! The carpet looks bad again because the stain has creeped back up to rear its ugly head.
With Cincinnati Maintenance’s green, low moisture technology, dry time is often only 45-90 minutes and also prevents that nasty wicking or reappearance of stubborn stains.

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After a Professional Cleaning, Who Wants their Carpets to Dry FAST?

After a Professional Cleaning, Who Wants their Carpets to Dry FAST?

After you have a professional come out to clean your carpets, do you want the carpets to dry quickly so you can get back to your normal household or business routine?  Well, sure you do! 
Cincinnati Maintenance knows that low moisture cleaning – called encapsulation – is the most advanced way to clean and maintain carpet in your home or business. Low moisture technique solves many problems commonly associated with carpet cleaning. Among these are waiting hours and hours for the cleaned area to dry, possible exposure to unwanted or unsafe chemicals, and – for the environmentally conscious – having a tremendous water-wasting footprint.
The great news is, with encapsulation, carpets dry fast! Really fast.  Homeowners are happy because “regular life” carries on and commercial clients are happy because their place of business has very few interuptions and no fear of a slip-and-fall hazard.
And, guess what? Most all encapsulation cleaners are PH balanced.  Not only are they safe for all carpet fibers, but they do not require the application of rinsing agents.  The carpet is fresh and there is no sticky residue that attracts unwanted soil.
Lastly, Cincinnati Maintenance continues to be on the cutting edge of green cleaning technologies.  Our low moisture cleaning is enviromentally responsible by cutting out waste of thousands of gallons of water, as well as being safe, effective, and clean without causing environmental hazards or exposing anyone to toxicity.

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