Repairing Carpet vs. Repairing an Area Rug
If you’re seeking expert rug repair near Littleton, you might be wondering what the differences are between repairing a carpet and repairing an area rug. A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning, serving the Denver metro area, compares the two approaches. Repairing an Area Rug How Do We Define an Area Rug? An area rug is made of heavy fabric no larger than 6’ x 9’ in size (anything larger is technically a carpet). The biggest difference between an area rug and a carpet is that the latter is attached to the subfloor while the former is not. Area rugs typically have a nap or pile and come in a variety of styles: braided, rag, woven, and oriental are some of the most popular. Problems Associated With an Area Rug Over time, several issues can arise with an area rug. Spills and burns are among the most common problems, as are frayed edges. Also, bound rugs require rebinding, while braided rugs can come unbraided. Minor area rug repair can sometimes be accomplished by the rug owner – but for complex repairs, it’s best to contact a professional rug repair company serving Denver. Identifying/Repairing a Rug Problem Further to the above, here’s a brief summary of how certain rug problems are identified/repaired: If the edges fray, they can be sewed If a jute rug’s edges fray, they can be trimmed and bound If a braided rug comes unbraided, it can be re-braided and re-bound Any cuts or tears in an area rug can be patched with tape or resewn Repairing Carpet How Do We Define Carpet? As noted above, the two biggest differences between carpet and an area rug are size, and the fact that carpet is attached to the subfloor. Unlike an area rug, carpet almost always has a pad beneath it. Also, carpeting for large rooms usually has a seam that connects two pieces together. Popular carpet fabrics include nylon, wool, polyester, and acrylic. Problems Associated With Carpet All carpet is prone to wear and tear, relative to the amount of foot traffic it endures. Pet damage, food spills, burns, and tears are all common problems associated with carpet. Also, seamed carpet can separate over time. Regular vacuuming can extend a carpet’s lifespan by removing dirt and grit that gradually wears down the carpet’s fabric/pile. Bigger repair jobs, i.e. split seams, tears, and bad stains, should be left to an experienced carpet repair company. Identifying/Repairing a Carpet Problem Here’s an overview of how carpet problems that can be identified/repaired by the homeowner: If a section of carpet is flattened, use a metal pet brush to restore the carpet’s fullness For minor burns, the singed fibers can be snipped off with cuticle scissors Shag or Berber carpets have loops that can loosen over time. This problem is alleviated by either reinserting these loops into the backing (you’ll need an awl for this), or cutting off the loose loops. Some spills and stains can be remedied with an oxygen cleaner and/or a pet-stain remover If something sticky gets stuck in the carpet, apply ice to the affected area Work with an Experienced Carpet Repairer A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning is dedicated to keeping your home’s interior in pristine condition. Along with expert carpet and area rug repair, we specialize in bed bug eradication, upholstery cleaning, and more. Contact us today for a free estimate. Remember at A Personal Touch, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them.”
Tips for Removing Simple Rug Stains
Stains happen, and when they do we hope that they’re easy to remove. For simple stains, that don’t require the carpet cleaning services of an expert, a variety of DIY solutions exist. Here we cover a variety of methods, some well-known and others not so much. Solutions for Simple Rug Stains Note, we do not recommend these solutions for fragile or antique rugs. Be also aware that colors could bleed if the treatment is not done properly. Ammonia Pour one cup of clear ammonia and mix it with a ½ gallon of warm water. Then take a sponge and apply the solution to stains in your carpeting or upholstery. Let the spot dry completely and then reapply if necessary. Shaving cream Not only does shaving cream work on simple stains like food and dirt, it’s also a good option for oil and grease stains. First, blot the stain with a damp sponge and pat it. Then squirt some shaving cream on the stain and wipe it clean with the damp sponge. For tougher stains like oil and grease, apply the shaving cream to the stain and work it in as much as possible. When you’re finished, let the area dry and then rub it clean with a soft cloth. Salt Red wine stains will send most homeowners into a panic, but if you act quickly and have a bottle of salt and a bottle of white wine handy, you can get the stain out. While the red wine is still wet, pour some white wine on it until the color is diluted. Then grab a sponge, wet it with cold water, and clean the area. Once the area is clean, cover the area with salt and wait 10 minutes. Then vacuum the area and prepare to be impressed with this unusual but effective stain-removal trick. WD-40 WD-40 has an established reputation as a multi-use product, and you can add carpet stain removal to the list. Spray WD-40 on the stain, wait two minutes, and then apply your household carpet cleaner to the stain/WD-40 combo. You can also use a sponge and warm soapy water. Scrub the area until the stain is 100 percent removed. Baking Soda This is the mother of all household carpet cleaners, and has been a trusted solvent for generations. The aftermath of puppy accidents and upset stomachs are well-addressed by baking soda. After cleaning the area as best you can, cover the spot in baking soda and pat it into to the damp rug. Let the area dry and then vacuum the spot. Baking soda not only cleans the stain, it also deodorizes and sanitizes the affected area. When combined with salt, baking soda can remove grease stains. Mix equal parts of both substances and sprinkle the mixture on the stain. Then use a rigid brush to work the solution into the rug. Wait five hours and then vacuum the area. When It’s Time to Call a Professional A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning is all about helping our customers save money. There are plenty of DIY opportunities for various household needs, including simple stains. But for more complex matters like carpet stretching, carpet repair, and bed bug eradication, make sure to contact our expert team. Remember at A Personal Touch, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them.”
Moving Season is Upon Us!
Moving season is here. March and April bring warmer weather, spring flowers and houses hitting the market for sale! Are you looking to sell your home? You’ll want your carpets in great shape when prospective buyers start looking at your home. The housing market in Littleton and the surrounding area is hot, so you’ll want to pull out all the stops to get your home to show as best as it possibly can. This means cleaning your carpets, upholstery and fixing those snags, ripples or bare spots on your carpet. Why you should clean your carpets before selling your home Dust, dirt, pollen and other allergens can collect in your carpets over time. This buildup can also cause odors, which may be a turnoff to prospective buyers. You’ll want your home to smell clean and fresh and professionally cleaned carpets can do just that. Professional carpet cleaning can also remove those spots and stains that may cause buyers to think they have to replace their carpet. New carpet is expensive, so bringing in a professional to clean your carpets can be a lot less money. Adding carpet protection spray can help keep stains from setting in. Think of it as an invisible shield for your carpet! Carpet frays, ripples and seam repair If your carpet is fraying, rippling or showing splits or tears at the seams, then you’ll need our expert carpet restoration service. Carpet damage may turn off prospective home buyers. A Personal Touch recommends repairing split seams, carpet tears and ripples before putting your home on the market. Our expert carpet repair services can make your carpets ripple-free, remove burn spots and apply transitional strips to help restore your carpet to nearly new condition! Wool rugs If you have wool rugs but don’t want to clean them before moving due to high traffic of buyers viewing your home, then you’ll want to utilize our pickup and drop-off service for your wool and area rugs. On moving day, we’ll come get your wool or area rugs, clean them using our Rug Badger technology, and hold your rugs until you’re moved into your new home!* Call us today at 720.344.2870 or use our online contact form to request your free estimate or to schedule your carpet cleaning, carpet repair or wool rug cleaning service appointment. Remember at A Personal Touch, “We don’t cut corners, we clean them.” * Delivery and drop-off within our service area only.
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.”
Cleaning Your Rugs Regularly Can Help Remove Germs and Bacteria
To achieve a clean carpet that’s free of germs and bacteria, you’ll need to have it cleaned by a professional on a regular basis or every six months or so. Regular carpet and rug maintenance can help in between professional cleanings. Keep an eye out for spills and take care of them in a quick manner to keep your carpet clean. Simply using water on a spill will help most of them. If that doesn’t work, you can also use a mixture of water and vinegar or club soda to help you get tough spot stains out. By taking immediate action you can prevent spills from becoming stains that leave you with a dirty and messy carpet and can help prevent germs and bacteria from building up in the fibers. You should also take the time to vacuum your carpet often and make sure you do a thorough job. This means going over the floor in several directions to allow the vacuum time to pick up all it can. High quality vacuums are the best choice, as they get up the most debris, dust and pollen. Here are a few tips to help keep germs, bacteria, dust and pollen out of your house and carpets: Use entrance mats outside of your doors and make sure that anyone who enters your home use the mats to help get debris and dirt off of their shoes before they enter. Request that guests do the same, prior to entering your home. Consider removing your shoes and leaving them outside or on a mat just inside your door to help prevent dirt and debris from being tracked onto carpets. Vacuum carpets and rugs on a daily basis to pick up dry dirt and debris. Spot clean other stains or soils as they happen. Maintaining and keeping a clean carpet is more than just healthy, as it can also help to prolong the life of the carpet. A clean carpet can help add value to the home if it is maintained on a regular basis. 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.”
Caring For Your Wool Rugs
Wool area rugs are a great addition to your home. They can add class, beauty and even safety to your home. Wool and area rugs are one of the most popular floor coverings available. Typical maintenance can include regular cleaning with a vacuum about once a week (twice a week if it’s in a high traffic area!) and regular professional cleaning about once every few months. Using your vacuum on wool and area rugs is very important and regular cleanings can help prolong the life of your wool or area rug. Using a vacuum can help reduce the amount of dirt that settings in the rug fibers and keep your rug from collecting dust, pollen and even germs. A Personal Touch Carpet Cleaning now offers the RugBadger, which is a powerful, portable machine designed to vibrate loose dirt, soil and sediments trapped both in the foundation and in between the rug fibers themselves. Sand, dirt and dust all disappear and allergens and pollen are removed from your rug. October 2014 Service Special Wool & Area Rug Special: Free pickup & delivery! That’s a $50 value! Call 720-344-2870 or request a free quote online to schedule your wool rug cleaning special today. Read more about our Wool & Area Rug Special »