19. May 2009 by Dean of Clean.

Spring is back.  Do you feel that renewed sense of excitement, and the feeling of wanting to clean up our space we’ve inhabited all winter?  Sounds like Spring Cleaning!  And you’ve probably heard of “green cleaning.”  But what exactly is “green cleaning”?  It’s cleaning in a way that does not cause any harm to you or the environment.

Here are some simple, inexpensive ways you can clean “green” this spring!

You could start by making your own cleaners.  It sounds kind of intimidating but it’s actually quite easy and cost effective.  Just think about your grandmothers and your great grandmothers – they were cleaning green and didn’t even know it!  They didn’t have all these fancy, chemical laden cleaners to choose from.  They had simple, non-toxic recipes to use.   Their homes were clean and non-toxic – “green” before it was the trend.  (And
just think about how long they lived – could there be a connection to
their longevity and their lack of exposure to harmful chemicals in
cleaning supplies and food?)

Recipe for All Purpose Cleaner:

4 Tablespoons Vinegar

2 tsp. Borax

32 oz. hot water

Mix and store in a spray bottle.

Recipe for Window Cleaner:

1 Cup White Vinegar

3 Cups Water

Mix and store in a spray bottle.  Use a cotton rag or newspapers.

Recipe for Cleaning Wood Floors:

¼ Cup White Vinegar

1 Quart Warm Water

Mix in spray bottle.  Use sparingly and be careful not to over wet the wood.  Use a cotton mop. 

A Couple of Notes:  Always test a surface before you clean it with any product.  For a pleasant scent, add a few drops of an essential oil to your homemade cleaning products.  Try lavender, lemon, or tea tree oil.

Also, part of “green” cleaning is reusing your cleaning supplies.  Opt for reusable, washable rags over sponges and paper towels. 

Now clean to your heart’s content – all of the recipes above are non-toxic and are safe for you and the planet.  So clean away! And, if you’d like Professional “Green” Cleaning for your Carpets, Upholstery, Stone, Tile and Grout floors or Oriental Rugs, call 385-8444 and we’ll be happy to give you a complimentary,  no-obligation quote.

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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

Posted in cleaner, rug care, wool, cleaning, rugs, oriental rugs, rug, durango | No Comments »