29. January 2009 by Dean of Clean.

Strange as it sounds, winter is actually a great time to clean your carpets - for a couple of reasons:

1 - Your house is closed up more this time of year, keeping dust and allergens circulating inside (especially if you have forced-air heat) Carpet and upholstery acts like a huge filter, trapping soil and allergens - but like all filters, it works best if it’s clean! So by cleaning now, you’ll not only beautify your carpet, but you’ll breathe easier too! (And if you have allergies to pets or dustmites, ask about our Allergy Relief Treatment that will denature these allergens for up to 6 months to help keep your allergies in check.)

2 - Since most people are waiting until spring to clean, savvy consumers know they’ll get the best deals by cleaning now! Our courteous, certified technicians have more time to spend at your home working on difficult stains or taking care of any extra work you decide to have done, and I offer my best possible specials right now to just “break even” during the slow months and keep these great people working instead of laying them off and re-hiring come spring like some companies do.

In fact, we’re doing our annual “2 for 1″ special right now! Have us clean and Scotchgard your carpets in February, and we’ll give you a certificate for FREE Spring Cleaning of the traffic areas by May 30th. You can have clean, healthy carpets now…AND later! Just call 385-8444 to schedule your appointment…and have a great Snowdown!
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Get free spot removal tips and current specials at www.ultrasteamcleaning.com

Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at www.rugmastersofdurango.com

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23. January 2009 by Dean of Clean.

1 - Vacuum Frequently, with a quality upright. Vacuuming is not bad for rugs! (Just be careful around the ends not to suck up the fringe.) And, flip the rug over on a hard floor now and then, vacuum the back of it thoroughly with a good upright vacuum. This will help vibrate some extra dirt out of the front. Then turn it back over (but not in the dirt that probably just fell out of it!) and vacuum the face. Then sweep the floor.

2 - Rotate the Rug every 6 months. This will help it wear evenly, and prevent areas that get more traffic or sunlight from soiling and fading faster than the rest of the rug.

3 - Spot Clean it with Club Soda or a WoolSafe Spotter. DO NOT use store-shelf products (even the ones that have “wool” in their name!) on woven wool rugs. The bleaches and color brighteners in them will damage the dyes and fibers. In the Durango area, just call us at 385-5777 and we’ll be happy to give you a FREE bottle of WoolSafe Spot Remover.

4 - Have it Professionally Cleaned Every 1-3 years. OK, you’d expect me to say that…but really, your fine rugs are works of art. Doesn’t it make sense to take care of them so they last longer? If the abrasive soils are kept washed out of it, a rug can easily last generations. Or it can be worn out completely in ten or fifteen years if not cared for correctly. This care includes a good dusting to remove the dry, abrasive soil that grinds away the fibers, and a gentle shampoo and “bath” to rinse it thoroughly clean. Rugs in high traffic areas like entries, living rooms and kitchens should be cleaned yearly. Rugs that see less traffic, like a master bedroom, might be OK with every 2 years, and a seldom-used rug in a guest room every 3-5 years.

If you’d like more information, or to schedule pickup or dropoff of your rugs for cleaning, call us at 385-5777 or visit RugMastersOfDurango.com.

Thanks, and have a great day!

Get free spot removal tips and current specials at www.ultrasteamcleaning.com

Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at www.rugmastersofdurango.com

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16. January 2009 by Dean of Clean.

Hi there! Richard Carpenter again, with post-holiday spotting tips.

I’m sometimes asked about using vinegar as a cleaning agent. It can be an excellent cleaner - for some surfaces and situations.

Vinegar works very well to clean up pet urine stains. After blotting up as much as possible (if fresh) apply a mixture of 2parts water/1 part white vinegar, and blot, then use plain water and re-blot or rinse. On dry cat or dog stains you may need to allow a few minutes dwell time for the vinegar to dissolve the urine residues (which turn to alkaline salts as they dry.)

It also works well, in moderation, to clean Ceramic tile and grout. Just a capful or two in a bucket of hot water is all you need. For heavily soiled tile use a good neutral floor cleaner first (Kim at Tile Art here in Durango sells this.)

HOWEVER…

Do not use it on Saltillo Tile or Natural Stone floors and counters, especially soft stone like Marble, Travertine and Limestone. It will permanently etch the surface! (So will other common kitchen acids, like lemon juice - so be sure your counters have been well-sealed before use, and clean up spills promptly. You’ll want to professionally clean and re-seal the counters every 2-3 years under normal use.)

I cannot recommend any “Store-Shelf” products either, as most of them have been blamed by my clients for damage, discolorations, or residue build-up at some point. Check with a local tile and stone seller for a quality neutral floor cleaner, as mentioned above.

If you have any stone, tile or carpet care questions here in Durango, call us at 385-8444 and we’ll be happy to answer them! Thanks for your attention, and have a happy, prosperous New Year!

Get free spot removal tips and current specials at www.ultrasteamcleaning.com

Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at www.rugmastersofdurango.com

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