Should I Clean My Carpets Before Moving Out Of My Rental Unit?
Searching online for the best “carpet cleaners near me”? No doubt A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning will be at the top of your results, and for good reason. Our talented carpet pros have vast experience in cleaning and repairing carpet, as well as answering questions like, “Should I clean my carpets before moving out of my rental unit?” Carpets and Rental Units The best answer to the question of “To clean or not to clean my carpet?” is that you should consult with your landlord. The vast majority of rental leases contain a list of move-out stipulations, stating what you need to clean and what the landlord’s expectations are with regard to cleaning. Often times these stipulations are tied directly to your deposit, and failure to meet the landlord’s expectations results in a reduction in your deposit return. Specific to carpet, your responsibility to clean/repair/replace it before you move out is sometimes tied to the size of your apartment complex. It’s more likely that the landlord of a large complex will ask that you clean the carpet, and in some cases pay for any repairs or a full-scale replacement if necessary. The bigger the complex, the less time a landlord can dedicate to individual units, and the more expensive it becomes to ensure every tenant’s carpet is in good shape before they move out. It’s not unheard of for a landlord to hire his own cleaning company to deep-clean a unit before a new tenant moves in, a stipulation that should be mentioned in the lease. In this case, one of two scenarios are possible: the landlord pays for the cleaning out of his own pocket or an “upkeep fund” that every tenant gives a monthly amount too, or the landlord expects the outgoing tenant to pay for the deep-clean. The upside here is that you won’t have to lift a finger, but the downside is you’ll get less of your deposit back. In the majority of cases, a lease will call out what the landlord’s expectations are regarding move-out condition, and include a note regarding how your deposit-return could be lower if the unit isn’t cleaned to the lease’s expectations. Thus, you’ll have the option to either clean the unit yourself or hire a cleaning company, which comes down to whether you prefer to spend time or money. Other Items/Areas To Be Cleaned In addition to cleaning your unit’s carpet and other obvious tasks like wiping down the kitchen counters and scrubbing the toilet, here are some other areas that will require your attention: Tile grout The entire toilet (top, bottom, and back) Oven (some ovens have an auto-clean feature, but these don’t always do a complete, “landlord-friendly” job Cabinet shelves and all drawers, along with the tops of cabinets Refrigerator and freezer, and the top of the fridge We Have Your Carpet Cleaning Covered Rather than leave your deposit to the whims of your landlord, contact A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning and utilize our professional carpet cleaning services. We’ll have your carpets looking great, giving you peace of mind and a better chance of getting your full deposit back. Remember at A Personal Touch, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them.”
Your Pre-Carpet Cleaning Checklist
When you hire A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning to handle all of your carpet cleaning services, you benefit from the many years of experience possessed by our Englewood carpet cleaners. Before we visit your home, here’s a helpful “pre-carpet cleaning” checklist of things to do. Scheduling Make sure to schedule your carpet cleaning for a day that you won’t need access to the room(s) we’re working on. Once we’ve finished, the carpets will require at least 3 – 4 hours of drying time, so it’s best to assume that the “affected” rooms won’t be usable for most of the day. Any Special Furniture Requirements? Let us know ahead of time if we should be aware of any special requirements regarding your furniture, i.e. an end table with a loose top, or an entertainment console with wobbly legs. Vacuum It’s always a big help when a customer vacuums the carpet’s high-traffic areas before we arrive, as well as underneath any furniture to be moved. If vacuuming under the furniture requires you to move it, please either return it to its original position or remove it from the area entirely. This ensures that we don’t miss any spots around the furniture. If you decide to leave the furniture in its place, we’ll move it, clean the carpet underneath, and then replace it. Drapes/Skirting All drapes should be raised/pinned at least six inches above the carpet. The same goes for any upholstered furniture that may have skirting which touches the carpet. Furniture Should Be Item-Free In order for our carpet cleaning experts to work as efficiently as possible, we appreciate our clients removing all loose items from the furniture: floral displays, books, flatware, and any decorations. This pertains especially to any breakable items, since our team won’t move any furniture that contains fragile belongings. Remove Small, Lightweight Furniture If you want to speed up the cleaning process, an easy to do this is by moving any small, lightweight furniture off of the carpet. Potted plants, magazine racks, lamps, etc. that we don’t have to move and then replace only makes our job easier, and lowers the total cost. An FYI Regarding Things We Won’t Move For liability and safety reasons, we typically do not move any furniture that’s large and heavy. This includes TVs, curios, China cabinets, and electronics of any kind. If you simply leave these things in place, we’ll clean around them. Spots and Stains When we conduct a walkthrough with you prior to getting started with cleaning, please point out to us any spots or stains that require particular attention, i.e. a place where you’d like us to fix pet damage. It’s also a big help if you can confirm what caused the stain, so that we can address it appropriately and try to remove it for you. Pets We love pets, but there’s no doubt they’ll have a much more pleasant day if you keep them away from where we’re working. It gets noisy and there’s a lot of activity, and we certainly don’t want to frighten them. Get Clean Carpets Today Our carpet repair company has completed thousands of successful jobs in Littleton and Englewood. Contact us today and we’ll be happy to provide references, along with a free quote. You’re just a phone call away from getting clean carpets. Remember at A Personal Touch, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them.”
Nine Carpet Cleaning Mistakes To Avoid
When you search online in Littleton for “carpet cleaners near me“, you’ll find A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning at the top of the list. That’s because thousands of local homeowners trust us to keep their carpets clean and healthy. We also know all about the mistakes that can happen when people try to DIY their own carpet cleaning. Here are nine of the most common. Using The Wrong Spray Cleaner Some organic spray cleaners are effective in combating stains, but the majority of store-bought household cleaning products are bad news. These items contain bleach and caustic chemicals that will ruin and permanently discolor your carpeting. Trusting a Rented Carpet Cleaner Every homeowner wants to save money wherever they can, including on their cleaning needs. However, it’s a bad idea to rent a carpet cleaning machine from a local store and expect it to work wonders. These cleaners aren’t always serviced regularly, which means that the last two renters’ dirt might soon be in your home. Clogs and internal damage are also common, compromising the machine’s efficiency. Many people who go this route end up dissatisfied, and want their carpets professionally cleaned. Not Removing Stains Promptly All stains require prompt attention, especially from acidic liquids like coffee, pop, and red wine. But the longer you wait to act, the more likely it is for the stain to become permanent, or at best be a real bear to remove. Also, some substances will stain the carpet and erode the carpets fibers. Misusing Carpet Deodorizer A common misconception is that carpet deodorizer powder can help remove a stain and clean up dirt. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do either. Even worse, a standard vacuum struggles to collect this powder, meaning it will accrue in the carpet until it’s professionally removed. Over-Shampooing It makes sense that a novice carpet cleaner would err on the side of caution when shampooing his carpet. However, too much shampoo leaves a build-up of soapy residue that’s extremely difficult to wash away and whose sticky texture attracts dirt like a magnet. Over-Wetting Often going hand-in-hand with over-shampooing, using too much water when cleaning a carpet will result in water soaking through the fibers and the pad, and into the backing. This raises the possibility of mold/mildew problems in the carpet, and in some cases will cause the carpet to shrink and pull its backing free from the floor. Replacing Furniture Before The Carpet Dries Even if you’ve done everything else right, a DIY carpet cleaning job can still come undone when furniture is put back in place before the carpet dries. Many wood furniture items contain dyes that will stain a wet surface. Also, furniture with metal/partially metal feet can leave a rust stain in the carpet. Ignoring Routine Vacuuming Carpet should be vacuumed at least once a week, and more frequently depending on pets/kids. Not sticking to a weekly vacuuming routine gives dirt, dander, and other material to get comfortable in your carpet, where it will begin eroding the fibers. Avoiding Professional Carpet Cleaning Carpet should be professionally cleaned at least once a year, or more frequently depending on how many pets and/or kids live in the house. Not hiring a professional cleaner might save money in the short-term, but the long-term risks outweigh any savings. Make The Right Call and Hire a Pro New carpet can cost thousands of dollars and cause big inconveniences. Don’t roll the dice and risk DIY mistakes – instead, contact A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning and utilize the carpet cleaning services of an experienced professional. Remember at A Personal Touch, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them.”
The Most Common Causes Of Carpet Damage
Everyone wants their carpet to last forever, but even the most durable products wear out eventually. Sometimes, damage can hasten the need for new carpet or carpet repair, and in this blog we look at the most common causes of carpet damage. Dirt Dirt, along with mud, grime, and general debris, is a big contributor to carpet damage. Dirt is a year-round problem, tracked in on shoes spring, summer, fall, and winter. Over time, dirt build-up will stain and discolor carpet, working its way into the fibers thanks to constant foot traffic. Ultimately, dirt is a prime reason why some carpet doesn’t last as long as it should. Spills A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning has helped a lot of customers in need of carpet and area rug repair because of a spill. Beverage spills, especially drinks with a high acid content like red wine, coffee, and soda, can permanently stain a carpet if they aren’t addressed immediately. Meanwhile, chemical spills (bleach, oil, etc.) can quickly discolor and/or damage carpet, creating a problem that can’t be fixed no matter what cleaning mixture is used. Homeowners have no choice other than to tolerate these kind of lasting stains and damage until they’re ready to install new carpet. Furniture The heavier the furniture, the more likely it is to cause long-term damage to your carpet’s back-weave and fibers. At best, a weighty dining room table will leave permanent dents in the carpet. At worst, heavy furniture will eventually bore holes in the carpet which sometimes can be remedied via patchwork or sewing. As long as the furniture remains in place, the hole is covered – but when you decide to rearrange the room or sell the house, the damage will require addressing. Foot Traffic Foot traffic is the bane of homeowners everywhere. And not matter how many times we tell people to take their shoes off, it’s certain that a carpet will endure wear and tear. How much wear and tear depends on the size of your family, the frequency with which you have guests over, etc. All shoes, even slippers, cause carpet to wear down over time: the worst culprits are dress shoes and high heels. Additionally, all of these feet/shoes track dirt, dust, and debris into your home, causing your carpet to wear out even faster. Odors The longer your carpet is exposed to a pungent odor, the greater the opportunity for the scent to work its way into your carpet. If you’ve ever been inside the home of a smoker or cat owner who doesn’t prioritize odor removal/air fresheners, you know what we’re talking about. If ignored long enough, these odors will become a permanent part of your flooring and remain as such until you replace the carpet. Pets Here we’re referring to common household pets like cats and dogs, who have a propensity for periodically scratching furiously at the carpet because of something they saw, heard, or smelled. Eventually this habit can lead to serious wear and tear, possibly resulting in rips and holes. Trust The Experts For all of your carpet repair and rug repair needs, trust A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning. Our many years of experience, coupled with our state-of-the-art cleaning tools, are a boon to homeowners throughout the Denver metro area. Call us today at (720) 344-2870 for your free quote and consultation. Remember at A Personal Touch, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them.”
Five Eco-Friendly Upholstery Cleaning Tips
Eco-friendly upholstery cleaning is something all homeowners are interested in, and it’s a service that A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning provides to its customers. If you’re looking for reasons why a “green” approach to your furniture is the way to go, here are five tips to consider. Weekly Vacuuming Dust is ubiquitous in every home, and dirt and debris aren’t far behind, especially if you have kids. These materials enter your house every time someone comes in from outside and each time a door or window is open, even for a brief moment. Left unattended, dust and the like can become ingrained in your upholstery and prove difficult to remove. Get the upper hand in this perpetual fight by vacuuming your upholstery once a week at minimum, and 2 – 3 times for furniture that sees a high amount of usage, or is located close to a window/door. Defeat Spills Promptly Spills don’t require toxic chemicals for removal, as long as you deal with them right after they happen. First, dab the spill and remove any excess moisture from the couch cushion or chair arm where the spill happened. Then tackle the spill with water and hand soap – or, if the spill is from something with a high acid content (i.e. red wine, juice, coffee), use a combination of cornstarch and salt. For spills that leave a bad smell, sprinkle some baking soda over the area, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then vacuum it up. If after all of your hard work there is still a stain left behind, try a combination consisting of one-part distilled white vinegar and three-parts water. This solution works well on most stains, and it’s a much greener, eco-friendly option than store-bought chemicals. Steam-Clean Without Detergent Assuming you’re vigilant with your weekly vacuuming, when it comes time to steam-cleaning your upholstery, you won’t need anything more than water. A steam cleaner heats water to a very high temperature, making it easy to loosen ground-in dirt and dust. Moreover, the hot steam kills bacteria thanks to temperature alone, so a chemical-based detergent isn’t necessary. If you’re cleaning especially dusty/dirty upholstery, feel free to add some white vinegar to your steam cleaner’s water tank. The smell will disappear in less than 24 hours. Only Use Plant-Based Cleaning Products Even the most cleaning-focused homeowner should have some cleaning products on-hand in case of emergency – but instead of buying toxic products, opt for plant-based detergents instead. There are lots of effective green carpet-cleaning products on the market, so just read the label and confirm that yours are 100% organic. Work With The Pros As evidenced by the above, there’s plenty that homeowners can do on their own to ensure a clean house. However, it’s still a great idea to contract an upholstery cleaner serving Littleton once or twice a year for a professional cleaning. With our green products and decades of expertise, you’ll enjoy fresh, clean upholstery for a long time. Get Clean Today A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning is a local upholstery cleaner that also specializes in carpet repair, spot removal, and pet damage. Call us today at 720.344.2870 or use our online contact form to request your free estimate. Remember at A Personal Touch, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them.”
The 5 Types of Stains That Require Professional Carpet Cleaning
Unless the room is relatively unused, your carpet takes more abuse than most areas of your home. After all, the carpet gets regular foot traffic and that might include many different types of shoes, that are tracking in any number of things from the outdoors. There’s a reason most people’s grandmothers had plastic runners in their “good rooms” and didn’t let anyone in the house without taking off their shoes. Todays carpets, if well maintained, can last many years and look just as beautiful as the day they were installed. It’s usually recommended that you vacuum at least once a week to maintain the look of your carpet. If the room gets a lot of foot traffic, you may need to vacuum more often. For a room that’s rarely used, you may only want to vacuum as is necessary to keep dust at bay. It’s also recommended that you have your carpets professionally cleaned once every year or two. In the case of stains, it’s highly recommended that you treat them immediately. We offer care instructions that work great for stain removal when an accident is taken care of immediately. However, even the most diligent maintenance won’t always work on every stain. In those cases, a professional carpet cleaning and stain removal will help you restore your carpet. 5 Types of Stains That May Need a Professional Carpet Cleaning There are a number of stains that can be difficult to remove from carpeting without the right expertise. You also want to be very careful with removal products because they can cause discoloration or damage to your carpet. Here are a list of some of the most common types of stains that can be too difficult to remove without a professional cleaning. Red Wine / Dark Juices. Red wine and dark juices can leave a very noticeable stain that’s exceptionally difficult to remove. These spills are also very common, which is why many parents switched to white grape and lighter juices. Coffee. Many coffee drinkers will take it everywhere with them but because of the color, it’s a difficult stain to remove. Treating the stain immediately will help your chances. However, if you don’t notice the stain until it’s set, a professional cleaning might be your best option. Grass. Grass stains are notoriously difficult to treat on any type of fabric, especially carpet. It’s preferable to make sure people take off their shoes, especially if they’ve been working out in the yard. But that’s not always possible with children and a lively household. Blood. Blood stains are very common and exceptionally difficult to remove. There’s no real way to protect your carpet from these stains because, obviously, these are often caused by an accidental cut or injury. Grease. Grease might come from any number of areas. This might be from spilling greasy food or from someone working with machinery. Grease spills happen more often than you might think. Use the removal method linked above but, in many cases, you’ll want a professional cleaning to keep your carpet looking its best. Are You in Need of a Professional Carpet Cleaning? If you’re in need of a professional carpet cleaning to remove spots or just to maintain your floors, the experts at A Personal Touch can help. Contact us today to discuss your needs: 720-344-2870 or send a message online.
A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning Services in Littleton
Carpet Cleaning in Littleton, CO A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning Services is proud to serve the neighborhood of Littleton. To learn more about the various carpet and upholstery cleaning services we offer, call today at (720) 344-2870. The key to combating seasonal allergies is preventing them before they set in. A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaners offers comprehensive carpet cleaning services to Littleton, CO homeowners. From industrial buildings to finely upholstered antiques, we will work with you to ensure that your items are as clean and allergen-free as possible. Annual Carpet Cleaning An annual carpet cleaning is the best way to keep your flooring in top condition while preventing allergens from accumulating. In addition to bedrooms and living rooms, we also offer cleaning services for carpeted stairways and halls. Enhance the beauty of your home and extend the life of your carpeting with a professional cleaning. From set-in dirt and pet odors to major spills on a specific area of your carpet, our technicians are trained to offer the comprehensive services you need to keep your flooring looking and smelling like new. Properly maintained carpets can last up to 25 years, so the upfront cost you pay to keep them maintained pays dividends in the long run. Preventative Care The best way to care for your carpets and upholstery is preventively. Our technicians are equipped with a high-quality Teflon spray that protects fibers and other materials from sustaining damage in the future. Whether you want to keep your upholstered furniture safe from stains or to extend the life of your carpet, this service can save you significant time and money. Carpet Repair If an area rug or section of your carpet has become damaged, A Personal Touch offers full restoration services. From burn repair after a localized fire to patching and seam repairs, we will have your damaged carpet looking like new as soon as possible. Whether your carpet has been damaged by a flood or fire or you simply want to extend the lifetime of the carpets in your home, call A Personal Touch today at (720) 344-2870 for carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning you can rely on.
How to Prevent Dirty Carpet Buildup
Many people believe that they cannot have carpets if they have allergies or simply want to have a very clean home. Although carpets may accumulate dust and allergens, the truth is that you can stop these pollutants from entering your air and settling into your carpet, with better filtration and Denver carpet cleaning service. Reduce Door/Window Contamination Messes on your carpet are highly likely to enter directly from your door on a family member’s shoes. The mud and road salt from winter weather is not the only worry you have, however. Every time you open the window, you run the risk of allowing outdoor allergens to compromise your indoor air quality. Your best bet is to keep the contaminants at the door and windows with the following practices: Place a rug near each door that can be easily cleaned weekly Encourage family members to take off their shoes when they enter the home Wipe your windowsills regularly These simple acts help you to keep your home cleaner and healthier. Boost Filtration There are two ways that dust, debris and allergens infiltrate your home. The first is through doors and windows, but the second is your heating and cooling equipment. Your air conditioner and furnace pull air in from the outside and send it through your ductwork into the home. If you do not have a good air filter in the system, all those contaminants could pass directly to the indoor air, landing on the carpet. Purchase air filters that are designed to remove the level of contaminants you need, and set a reminder to clean or replace them at least every three months. Clean Carpets Regularly No preventive approach is perfect, so you should also make a plan to clean your carpets as often as needed. Vacuums are necessary but often insufficient. Select a vacuum that collects dust and dirt very effectively, with filters if you have allergy concerns. Vacuum at least once a week, and more often for high-traffic areas. Some spots may need several passes to get adequately clean. Once or twice a year, arrange for a thorough carpet cleaning service in Littleton and Denver. Deep cleaning gets the dirt that your vacuum cannot reach, and may extend the longevity of your carpet. Nobody wants carpet buildup. Thankfully, preventing this problem is not particularly difficult. Just decrease contamination from outdoors, improve your filtration, and protect your carpets with the professional carpet cleaning service Littleton and Denver residents have used for over 30 years. Contact us at 720-344-2870 for more information or a free quote.
Caring for Your Wool Rugs
Wool rugs can provide excellent wear for years, as long as you treat your rugs right. By using our tips for the best wool rug care, you can keep your carpets looking great. A few of the things you can do to protect your rugs and extend their life: 1. Vacuum regularly with the right attachment. Dirt can get ground into your wool carpet because of the loose construction. In fact, even when your rugs do not look dirty, they may have dirt and dust that you cannot see. A wool carpet can hold up to a pound of dirt per square foot before looking dirty. When this happens, the particles can cause friction and wear on your rug’s fibers. You should go over the area at least once a week, more for high traffic areas. When vacuuming, do not use the rotary brush on loop pile rugs, such as Berber. The yarn may get caught and fray. Use the floor tool to prevent damage to your rug. 2. Spot clean when necessary. If liquid spills on your rug, add water and blog the liquid up gently. Do not use highly alkaline cleaning solutions, such as those that are ammonia-based. These cleaners can cause damage to the fibers of wool carpets. Wipe up liquids right away to avoid permanent stains. 3. Do not try to deep clean yourself. Wool rugs should be washed about once a year. Your wool rugs, whether they are wall to wall carpet or area rugs, should only be cleaned by professionals. Wool carpets can absorb a lot more water than synthetic ones do, which means they can be hard to move around and hard to thoroughly dry if you try to go it alone. Call us for carpet cleaning in Littleton to keep your rug looking fresh. We offer carpet cleaning with high quality tools like the Rug Badger and bring years of experience to the job. Get in touch today to learn how we can help your carpets last longer and look great. Call us today at 720-344-2870 or use our online contact form to request your free estimate. Remember at A Personal Touch, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them.”
How to Care for Area Rugs
Rugs can beautify the home, but it takes special care to keep them looking their best. By keeping up with the following, you can ensure that they continue to look great for years to come. In addition to hiring professional carpet cleaning in Denver and the surrounding areas, you can do a lot at home to maintain your rugs. Vacuum regularly. Dirt and grime can get lodged into your rug. This grit can rub against fibers, causing premature wear. Vacuum the rug regularly to get dirt out, concentrating especially well on high traffic areas. Experts recommend four to six passes in most areas, up to a dozen in areas that are high traffic. Get deep cleanings periodically. You should also consider deep cleaning periodically to get what vacuum cleaners can’t. Hire a professional company for carpet cleaning. A company that uses heavy duty equipment like the RugBadger can get out deep grime and keep your carpets in good condition. On average, you should get your rug deep cleaned every 12 to 18 months, or more often if they are showing wear and grime. Shake out small area rugs. If you can easily pick up a rug, take it outdoors to shake out dirt and dust. You will find that a lot of what your vacuum misses comes out this way. Ensure that you are in an area where debris will not cause irritation to neighbors. Brush out pet hair. If you have animals in your house, you may wind up with fur in your rugs that your vacuum can’t remove. A stiff brush can help get this out. Alternately, try rubbing the surface of your carpet with a rubber glove. The hair catches on the glove, allowing you to easily scoop it up and out. Special Treatment for Wool Rugs Wool rugs can be delicate and need special care. Never use a vacuum head that has a beater bar on your wool rug, as these can cause abrasions on your rug. Vacuum regularly to prevent dirt from causing wear and damage. Blot up all spills immediately to avoid staining. When it comes time to deep clean, trust these rugs to a professional to avoid shrinkage or damage. Interior rugs need protection from the rigors of daily traffic to keep doing their job. With just a bit of special treatment, including regular carpet cleaning in Littleton and the surrounding areas, you can protect your rugs and keep them looking great for years. Call us today at 720-344-2870 or use our online contact form to request your free estimate. Remember at A Personal Touch, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them.”