Things to Know About New Carpet

Buying new carpet is an intense thing to go through. It’s one of the most expensive additional investments you'll do to an already expensive investment, your home. You want to choose the right color, the right fiber and select a construction of carpet that will bode well with your home's traffic.

However, when the big day comes to have it installed, there are some issues American Cleaning & Restoration believes you should be aware of that come along with new carpeting:

It Will Shed 

New carpet sheds, usually for about the first year. You will find balls of fluff here and there in the air or balled up on the floor. This is normal and with regular vacuuming, it will minimize the amount of shedding. If you notice a tuft of carpet growing, use sharp scissors and cut it off. Do not pull the tuft!

Buckling, Rippling and Wrinkling 

When improperly installed, carpeting may buckle, ripple or wrinkle. Should you notice this, call the carpet installer immediately to have it corrected. They will most likely have a power stretcher come out to correct the problem. Before they leave, check the carpeting for any defects.

Crushing 

Normal wear and tear and foot traffic as well as heavy furniture will begin to crush carpet fibers and this is normal. Some grades of carpet will crush easier and quicker than others. Frequent vacuuming of the heavy traffic areas will help keep it fluffed up and on a regular basis, move the heavy furniture just a few inches. You can also purchase froth blocks and protecting tabs.

Loss of Color 

The sunlight and cleaning chemicals will eventual fade or yellow carpeting. Avoid using harsh chemicals and use window shades to minimize the sunlight will keep your carpet looking bright and vibrant.

Marks and Stains 

No matter how careful you may be, what type of protectant you use, stains can happen. To keep your carpet in good condition, stains should be treated immediately. Services of a professional carpet cleaning service such American Cleaning & Restoration are always your best bet when the stain is deep as well as regular cleaning.

Is Your Home's Carpet In Style For 2015?

After all the Christmas gifts are unwrapped, put away and the New Year’s Eve party has settled, it may be time to take a look at your home's carpeting. If those days when you get home and kick off your shoes  to walk on plush, soft carpeting isn't happening any more, it could be wore out.

American Cleaning & Restoration offers you the following bits of information for the carpet choices and
styles that are expected in 2015:

1. According to those designers on television shows, 2015 will see a shift in carpeting going with a layered color with soft texture. Why the layered color and pattern with texture? It hides soil!

2. The colors for 2015 are going to be neutral in grays and taupe, not just for carpeting but furniture, paint and window treatments. The “pop of color” will be blues and teals to give a room energy along with emerald, lime, and moss greens.  The eco-friendly and the natural look are going to be in for 2015.

3. Home fashion magazines are telling us that vivid carpet will be what you want to give a room a huge impact. Natural flooring will be going with deep tones like charcoal and chocolate brown in 2015 while
offset with neutral colors like warm creams and cool gray. Brighten up the hallways with brighter colors
like blue, lilac, plum and reds.

4. Always safe no matter what year is black, sand and white, they are the basic go-to colors and work
well with other colors for that accent.

Cheap Carpet Cleaning: Pay Once Then Pay Again?

It’s that time of year where we start cutting corners to stretch the budget through the holidays. However, some of those cutting corners actually cost us more money. There are something’s that going with the cheapest price doesn't get us the results that we want, especially when it comes to carpet cleaning. This includes even going with a national company that has an outstanding reputation.

The old saying “You get what you pay for” couldn't be truer than it is with carpet cleaning services. Those cheap carpet cleaning offers you see on television or coupons you get in the mail are cheap for a reason. What makes it cheaper can be a number of reasons. From a team of fly-by-night technicians to using cheap cleaning products, if any product at all, to the moving of the furniture not included. A low, low price for 'carpet cleaning' doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get the best carpet cleaning job.

So after you take one of the $99 whole house carpet cleaning deals, what usually happens? You're not happy. Well first of all, you found out that they are only going to clean the visible carpet. If you want the carpet cleaned from wall-to-wall, you better have the furniture out of the way. Then the dirt and stains seem to come back within just a few days, sometimes hours.

You call the company, they tell you to read the agreement / receipt and you find out that you have nothing to stand up to them. So you call a ‘professional’ carpet cleaning company for a 'proper' carpet cleaning job, like what we do here at American Cleaning & Restoration. While we'll make you a good deal, it most likely will be higher than the original carpet cleaning you got, but, it will be done right and we stand behind our work.

Are Those Stain Protectors Worth Their Cost?

The carpeting you put in your home is one of the most expensive investments you'll ever make. So you want it to stay bright, clean and last forever. The salesperson encourages you to upgrade with a protection of Guardsman, Scotchgard, Stainguard, Teflon or some other name.

Before you agree to that upgrade, you wonder are you really getting something extra that works. American Cleaning & Restoration would like to educate you on those carpet protectors. When we know how something works, we have a better understanding if we need it or even want it.

Carpet Protectors such as those listed above adhere to the carpet's fiber. It’s like a hard shell that isn't hard. Once the molecules that have adhered are completely dried, spilled liquids actually will bead up instead of soaking through the fibers. This allows you time to blot and dry the spill before it has time to soak into the fibers of your carpet.

Keep in mind though, any protector, regardless the brand you choose, can only do so much for so long. After a while, it does start breaking down. There are also something’s that can get spilled and go right
through the protector, especially hot liquids.

With your first appointment for a carpet cleaning with American Cleaning & Restoration, our technicians will talk to you about the protection you currently have, how old it is and discuss having it recoated.

Who Has Professional Carpet Cleaning Performed Daily?

As much as we would like the business here at American Cleaning & Restoration, we know it is just isn't practical to have your home's carpet professionally cleaned every day. For those of you who have pets though, you may think that's what you need sometimes.

To help you minimize the amount of cleaning you have to yourself and keep it all looking and smelling good between our visits, we offer the following suggestions for a home with pets:

Regular Vacuuming

Before you got Sparky the cat, may be you could get away with this chore like every other week. Now though, with a furry four legged family member, to keep your home looking good and smelling fresh, you'll need to vacuum twice a week at the very least. The more pets, the more vacuuming. The hairier the pet, the more vacuuming.

Frequent Bathing

Not you, your pet. By keeping the cat and dog clean, you'll keep your house cleaner and longer. Frequent bathing keeps the hair balls to a minimum and that not only keeps the floor clean, but the drapes and furniture too.

Stain-resistant Fabrics

Once you have brought a pet into the family, gone are the days of chintz or silk covered furniture. You want to get something that is odor resistant, stain resistant like Krypton. Leather is another good choice because it is durable and easy to clean. Or maybe go with Ultra-suede which is machine-washable, durable and feels good to the touch too.

Keep Bedding Washable

You can pretty much bet that with a pet in bed with you, accidents will happen like cat barfing. Make sure you have a good mattress cover and pad and cotton bed sheets that are patterned to better hide that pet hair and pet stains. Wash the bedspreads, comforter or duvet frequently.

Wall-to-wall Carpet Is a No-No

Nothing absorbs odor more than carpet. It also holds pet hair. Choose flooring that is pet friendly.

Not All Tiles Are Same When It Comes To Flooring

American Carpet & Restoration technicians are asked by customers if they were to replace the carpeting in the homes with tile, which type of tile is the best choice? We aren't in the business of recommending flooring materials, but we can offer you some information that may help you choose:

Stain-Resistant Porcelain

This is probably the most popular choice for kitchens simply because it is tough. Meaning it can take drops and spills and still look great. Whatever color you go with, get a grout color that is darker so that it will hide those stains.

Durable Slate-Look Porcelain

This is a strong tile and perfect for the laundry room or the mudroom. This tile has an indistinguishable look and resist moisture. It can take the muddy boots as well as the vibrating washing machine and still look good.

Small Mosaic Tiles

Great for a small area like a guest bath because they are small and they are great in moisture-prone areas.

Vinyl Tile

A heavy tile, you need to be cautious where you're installing this tile. Best when used in a basement room because it is the lowest point of the house, so the weight won't matter.

Oversized Travertine Tile

This is really popular in the Southwest, especially in ranch-style homes where hot is hot when it comes to weather. Why? Because it is a cool substance and feels good on the feet. For a home with radiant heat, this is the perfect flooring.

Stone-Like Porcelain

A great tile for the wine cellar because it won't stain permanently every time a little wine is spilled. This tile gives you Old World charm and looks while tough against chips and resisting moisture.

Natural Stone Tiles

Probably the best tile because it is all natural and can hold up to the outdoor elements, making it great for the kitchen and perfect for around the pool. Because grout is man-made and this area of the country has erratic temperature swings, it will need the grout replaced ever so often.

Slip-Resistant Slate

The entry to your home often takes the most traffic. This is the perfect tile because it is slip-resistance and the muddy, wet foot prints are hidden.

What Carpet Is Best For Houses With Kids?

A home with small children is a busy home and keeping it clean can be a monumental task, not to mention things wearing out all along. One of those things that may wear out is your carpeting but getting new carpet is not always a financial feasibility for most of us. So we must make what we have last and while it is a challenge it can be done.

The first thing to making your carpet last for as long as possible is to buy a good quality carpet to start with. Kids are rough on everything, especially flooring, so stain resistant carpeting is a must. Carpets comes in four types of fiber or a combination of the four. Here we offer a quick look at those choices and why they are, or are not, what you need with children.

Nylon Fiber

Since the 1960s, nylon fiber carpet has been used because it is durable and versatile. However it is not stain resistant without some type of treatment when installed. Nylon carpet is long lasting, but also most expensive.

Polypropylene Fiber

This carpet will hold its color and is stain resistant. However, it will wear down quicker than nylon, thus losing its shape quick. As such, it is inexpensive, thus making it the most affordable.

Polyester Fiber

A soft carpet that is stain resistant and keeps it color well. It too though, will wear down quick and is not recommended for high traffic areas, which with kids, is the whole house.

Polytrimethylene Terephthalate Fiber

This carpet is a polyester fiber type that is not soil or stain resistant without special treatment after installation.

In Your Bathroom Floor Go With Wall-To-Wall Rugs

One of the latest designs in bathrooms is covering a tiled floor with wall-to-wall small bathmats. So how is this a great idea? Well if you don't like cold bathroom floors in the winter, but you don't like carpeting because it gets nasty in the bathroom, this new trend takes care of that!

However, you don't want to just buy any bathroom rugs, you want to make sure you get the right kind that will do the trick. You want it to absorb, but not soak all the way through, so Olefin is the better choice and if you want to make this flooring permanent, use an indoor/outdoor adhesive and is water-resistant.

A short pile is best and even if you already have carpeting, you can still do the wall-to-wall rug thing because will absorb all the excessive wetness and the carpeting won't get nasty. If you are putting these rugs on top of tile or wood, make sure each one has non-skid rubber backing for safety.

For the bathroom with carpeting already, before you lay your wall-to-wall rugs, have a professional carpet cleaning performed. You want it to be clean and fresh underneath so that there isn't any dampness or dirty that can mildew and grow mold.

Summer Is Winding Down – Get Your Carpet Ready For Winter

Summer is dwindling to a close now and before long the guests won't be coming and the kids will be back to school. On your list of things to do in getting the kids ready for school, the last thing on there should be get the carpets cleaned.

Why? Well, summer is a busy time. Kids home all day, guests in and out. The foot traffic is heavy and your carpets have taken a beating. Even though there were the weekly vacuuming chores for the kids, or even if you do it yourself, the dirt and grime that gets worked into the fibers is still there.

Before winter gets here and locks everyone up inside for endless weeks, take the time now to get your carpeting professionally cleaned. This will not only get the dirt and grime down deep into the fibers, but it also gets rid of bacteria and germs that you and your family will be breathing in. You may be thinking you'll just rent one of those machines and do it yourself, but when not done right or if the machine isn't working right, can only bury the dirt and grime down even further.

With the dirt and grime buried down deeper and deeper, it makes a good place for more bacteria, dirt, germs and grime to keep building up. Your carpeting will start to look dingy and lose its color too. However, the equipment that professional carpet cleaners like American Cleaning and Restoration can pull up all that nasty stuff and make your floors as well as your whole home healthier.

Be Careful Using Plain Water To Clean Your Furniture

The kids have been home and they've had friends in and out all summer. Maybe you've had guests staying a few days here and there as well. With that going on, the chances of something getting spilled on a chair or your sofa is pretty high. If you attempted to clean it up with plain water, you may have just made it worse.

A popular fabric on furniture right now is Viscose, or you may know it as Rayon. It is manmade from natural materials that include wood pulp, which is similar to cotton. It is nearly pure cellulose and has been around for what seems like forever. Viscose gives furniture a high sheen pile fabric that feels good and looks good.

The downside to viscose is that when it comes in contact with any form of water, drinks, wet hands, etc., the fibers of the fabric swell and stay swollen. The spot becomes even more visible because Viscose fibers that have been in contact with water remain swollen because they reflect light. This will make the spot stand out massively more so than the rest of the furniture that didn't get wet. That spot now looks a different color permanently and when viscose fibers become wet, they become 40% weaker as well.

So what do you do to clean this type of furniture? A steam cleaner can be your best friend when you own furniture with viscose fabric. The main purpose of these machines is to clean floors, but some come with attachments for cleaning upholstery too. However, steam is made of water and if not done properly can make the matter even worse. You could even ruin your furniture completely if not careful.

Depending on how old your furniture is, how long you plan to keep your furniture, and how bad the wet spots are, it may be in your best interest to call a professional service such as American Cleaning and Restoration. We not only have the experience, knowledge, and skills to clean your viscose furniture, but we also have the proper equipment.

Got Chlorine On Your Floors?

For all intents and purposes, chlorine is a protector from bacteria when we're inside the pool. However, when it makes it way inside the house. That can be bad news and could very well happen when the kids are home during the summer. American Cleaning and Restoration offers the following tips to get rid of those stains if that does happen:

Chlorine Stains on Acetate, Acrylic Fabric, Burlap, Cotton, Linen, Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Rayon, Silk, Spandex and Wool:

Apply a stain remover immediately to loosen the chlorine and then flush the stain with a mixture of 1 teaspoon sodium thiosulfate and 1 quart water. Use caution while handling the sodium thiosulfate to avoid inhaling it, contact with eyes, or digesting any. Once the stain is neutralized, flush with water to remove the chemicals.

If the stain is still present, combine 1/4 teaspoon Rit Color Remover in 1/2 cup cool water and with a sponge use light strokes, working out from the center then flush with clear water.

Chlorine Stains on Acrylic Plastic, Asphalt, Cork, Linoleum, Masonry Tile, Plexiglas, Vinyl Tile:

This chlorine stain must be treated immediately because it will bleach the color out if left. Wipe up immediately and using a damp, sudsy cloth, sponge the surface. Rinse with clear water and wipe dry.

Chlorine Stains on Leather, Suede, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Wallcovering:

Any chlorine on these surfaces is permanent and cannot be removed. If you are not successful with any of these removal tips, call a qualified carpet cleaning service like American Cleaning and Restoration immediately. We have equipment and products as well as proven methods to remove most stains or dye the carpet almost to its original color.

Kids Are Home For Summer – House Is A Mess!

During the summer, it’s pretty normal for a family's home to get a little messy. The kids are home all day with friends in and out. They stay up late and get up late. Things just seem to pile up and nothing is cleaned. The floors are often the first thing to show this activity, or lack thereof, especially the areas that have a lot of traffic. American Cleaning and Restoration knows this all too well and offers a few suggestions to help get things in order now and keep them that way till school starts.

Make Cleaning Fun!

Okay, that may sound like something that just isn't going to happen, but if you can get the family in in team mode with each team having 15 minutes to complete their task, it can be fun! Winner gets choose what's for lunch and losers have to fix lunch!

De-clutter!

If your home is like every other family's, your den is probably the most used common area by everyone. Overnight the clutter just appears, or so it seems. When you just need to “tidy up” the area, vacuum only the areas of floor that have a high volume of traffic every day and do the whole floor just once a week. The same goes for dusting and wiping down the hardwood floors. Vacuum first then mop so you get the dust and lint that are stirred up by vacuuming.

Freshen the throw blankets and throw pillows off the chairs and sofa with a dryer sheet in the dryer on the air cycle setting. Take that stack of mail that's been piling up and throw away the piles of junk mail (after checking for valuable coupons!) and do a quick straightening on the coffee and end tables.

Family Chores!

Once you have the house cleaned and back in order, give each member of the family a daily chore. By doing these little things each day, you will have a clean house without bogging down the summer time fun! The week before school starts, call American Cleaning and Restoration and schedule a deep down carpet cleaning as well as your drapes and furniture! Getting the house freshened up before winter sets in will be one step to a healthy and clean home.

Summertime Crafts and Carpeting Don't Always Mix

Summer is here and the kids are going to be home most days, so there is the issue of keeping them busy and entertained. You'll have days at an amusement park or the local city park and you'll have days, like rainy days, that they'll be stuck in the house looking for things to do. They'll only be satisfied with DVD movies for so long, then they are going to get out those left over paints from art class.

You walk in to a room and not only do they have a wonderful masterpiece they've created for you to place on the refrigerator, but they also left somewhat of a masterpiece on the carpet too! Before you explode or faint, BIBO (Breath In, Breath Out) and let American Cleaning and Restoration provide you some tips to cleaning that mess up.

First identify the paint type. Did your little Rembrandt use and oil-based paint or a water-based acrylic paint? What's the difference? Well an acrylic or water-based paint are designed to be water soluble, which if your little artist used paint from an elementary grade, is most likely what kind of paint you have on your carpet. However, if it was an older kid's paint, it most likely is an oil-based paint and will be a little more difficult to remove.

After you have identified the type of paint, read the label on the paint package. While both acrylic and water-based paint mean any non-washable fabric that suffered are probably headed to the rag box in the garage, carpet and furniture may be saved. First, scrape up as much of the paint as possible and blot with an absorbent, clean towel that you don't care about. It’s important to keep the paint stain moist. If the paint has already dried, brush off what you can with a hard-bristled brush. Next, add soapy water or a paint remover and scrape off the remaining paint. Spray the area with water and, with a clean towel, blot with rubbing alcohol.

Keep repeating these steps until the stain is removed. If you have a large paint stain, soak it with water and
lay clean towels over the stain then blot before applying the above method. If the paint stain is from a water-based paint, another solution we suggest is apply soap, turpentine, and water to the stain while still soft. If you don't find the stain until its hardened, use the same brushing procedure described above and then apply turpentine to soften. If the paint stain is wet, do not use liquid paint remover!

If none of these work, give us a call a professional carpet cleaner like American Cleaning and Restoration before you get quotes on new carpet! We have the equipment and products along with experience that will get most stains out.

Clean Your Carpet Naturally

The carpet stain removers you can buy today are petroleum-based solvents that may have chlorine and other caustic substances in them which can be harmful to your children and pets. What you may not realize is that many of your carpet stains can be cleaned with all natural substances like vinegar and water.

American Cleaning & Restoration offers the following list of tips on cleaning those small stains quickly yourself:

Crayons and Glue

There is no doubt that you will find crayon, glue, or gum on your carpet at some point while raising children and you can't always afford to have a professional carpet cleaning service when you find it. Take a toothbrush, dip it in vinegar, then scrub the area. For glue, you will need to mix vinegar with water, heat it up, and use the same process of scrubbing with a toothbrush. For a stubborn stain, you may need to let it sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing.

Grease

This could happen with the handy husband just as easy as it can with one of the kids. Sprinkle a small amount of cornmeal and let it sit for 5 minutes then vacuum up. Next use the vinegar and water solution described above and sponge the area with the solution.

Chocolate, Coffee, and Cola

With the kids home this summer, you are going to have the spills! A solution of vinegar and water will clean those stains quick and easy. Mix 1 cup vinegar with 2 cups water in a spray bottle. Spray on the area, lightly brush with a toothbrush then blot dry with a clean towel. Just plain water won’t remove coffee or tea spills and dried stains, so it’s best to go back to the vinegar and water process.

Mildew

When there are liquid spills that are allowed to just sit, mold grows. By mixing a ratio of 1 to 1 vinegar and water, treat the area needed and allow to dry. It’s best if you can put the carpet outside to dry. If not, use a hairdryer.

Red Wine

This may be one of the easiest stains to clean! Sprinkle salt on the spot and hold a towel over the area for 15 minutes then vacuum. If there is any residue, mix up a 1 to 1 ratio of vinegar and water, apply and blot with a dry towel.

Once you have got the summer settled down, call a professional carpet cleaning company to do your whole house. Make sure you point out troubled areas and let them know what treatments you used when cleaning the spots.

Nothing Says Clean the House Stronger Than Cat Urine

Nothing Says Clean the House Stronger Than Cat Urine

Cat urine is one of the strongest odors known to mankind. It is also one of the hardest odors to get eliminate. Short of giving the cat away and packing up your belongings to relocate, what can you do? American Cleaning and Restoration has a proven do-it-yourself treatment that takes common household products you already have on hand:

• Baking Soda is the absorbing ingredient you'll find in carpet fresheners and toothpaste. Chances are you've probably got a box in your freezer and refrigerator to absorb those funky, odd smells. Remember that baking soda absorbs odor and it is a natural product that is safe on carpet and safe if Tiger gets hungry too.  Baking soda starts by attracting the odors to it and then it neutralizing them. So if the urine is recent, rinse with cold water and blot it dry with paper towels then apply a generous amount to the area then rub it in as deep as you can. Once it dries, vacuum up. 
• Vinegar is another do-it-all wonder product. Using apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, saturate the area where the cat has urinated. Vinegar is safe on all floor surfaces, so no worries about ruining your carpet or hardwood. In approximately one hour, the strong vinegar smell will be gone taking the urine smell with it.
• Hydrogen Peroxide is a great cleaner if the area is colorfast safe. Test a small section that isn't seen and poor straight peroxide and in about 2 hours you'll know if it is going to bleach the color out. If the color stays, then pour direct over the offending area and let it sit for about 2 hours then blot dry. This isn't as good at eliminating odors as the first 2 suggestions so you may need to repeat the process again.

If all else fails, call a professional carpet and floor cleaning service like American Clean and Restoration. We can provide you an estimate over the phone and schedule your service for you. Our work is guaranteed, so if the odor does return, just give us another call! 

Give A Baby Shower Gift That Gives to the Whole Family!

Congratulations! You just heard you are going to be a new Aunt or Uncle! Or maybe a new grandchild is on the way. Maybe it's your best friend from college that's having a baby. Regardless, congratulations are in order all the way around! Now, the fun of planning a baby shower is in order and the parents-to-be are going to register for the things they'll need and the things they'll want for this new bundle of joy that will be here soon.

There are the usual “big” gifts like the car seat, crib and high chair. Then there are bottles, multitudes of cute outfits or pacifiers and toys. The little kits that come with the baby lotion, baby powder and baby oil are always present at any baby shower and much appreciated by the parents-to-be, but you want to give something different, something that will be remembered forever and that maybe the whole household can benefit from and enjoy.

Consider a gift of carpet and floor cleaning for the parents-to-be! It won't be tomorrow or the day after the baby comes home, but in pretty quick time, that new little person will be crawling around on the floor and there is nothing more important than to have deep cleaned carpets and steamed cleaned floors for them. No parent wants their new baby crawling around on a floor that has been spilled on and walked on! There is no telling what is in the cracks and fibers that aren't good for a baby!

Not only will this gift stand out above the others, but it will be remembered for years to come by the parents-to-be and all the other guests at the baby shower. It will also be enjoyed by the parents-to-be, and for all the visitors when they come to call and see this new arrival.

Is Water Damage That Important To Fix?

When your home is victim of a flood, the water damage can be costly if the water is cleaned up correctly and quickly. Doesn't matter if it is from a natural disaster such as storm damage or from a leaking pipe, overflowing bathtub or washer, if the water doesn't get cleaned up thoroughly, the damage it can cause will be expensive.

Man-made or natural tragedies that involve water cause dampness, moisture and wetness that when left to “dry out” on its own will start to mildew and begin to grow mold. Mold is made of microscopic organisms that produce enzymes. While mold is good in some cases such as the decomposition of leaves, plant debris and wood as well as found in some foods such as cheese and medicine such as penicillin.

However, when mold settles in your home, it is very common for those living in the house to suffer from allergies and headaches. Symptoms such as diarrhea, disorientation, dizziness, nausea and rashes are common as well. Even asthma and chronic fatigue have been associated with mold borne from water damage.

To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to have a professional company with experience to come in and clean up the water. They will have all the equipment, tools, knowledge and skills as well to get all the dampness up.

Don't Be Afraid Of Bamboo Floors!

Bamboo has become a popular choice for flooring. The durability it provides makes for a smart choice in busy homes with children and it is eco-friendly. However, they do take some care in cleaning and maintaining them to make sure they last you for years:

1. Every day clean with a dry, soft mop to pick up dirt and dust. When left alone, those tiny particles will
scratch the flooring.

2. A busy home, such as one with children and a lot of traffic, should be vacuumed twice a week.

3. A weekly cleaning with a plain water dampened mop is recommended after vacuuming.

4. Monthly, damp mop with a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon of warm water.

5. Light scratches can be removed with wax sticks which are available in many colors.

6. Use fine steel wool to remove stains from pets and water. Best if cleaned up immediately of course.

7. A dry rag and past wax will remove shoe scuff marks.

8. A rag dipped in mineral spirits will remove grease or oil stains.

9. Gum stuck on the floor can be removed by laying sheets of paper towel and an ice pack for 15 minutes.
The gum will come up with a plastic spatula and a rag with mineral oil will remove any residue.

10. Crayon marks are easy to remove with paste floor wax.

Keep Your Carpet Clean and Healthy

To keep your home's carpet clean, keeps your home healthy. American Cleaning & Restoration would like to offer a few suggestions to help you do just that:

Clean Any Spills Immediately: No matter what the spill or how small the spill, clean it up immediately. When things are allowed to sit, they soak through the carpeting and to the padding not to mention they can leave stains. It is much easier to clean up spills as soon as they happen by using a damp to dry cloth and blot. Then rinse with clear, warm water and blot again until the residue of the spill disappears.

Vacuum Regularly: One of the best things you can do for your carpet is vacuum it on a regular routine. The longer in between vacuuming allows more and more tiny particles to fall and get pressed deep into the fibers. The best vacuum is one with a rotating brush that agitates the carpet fiber. Be sure to change out the filter often or empty the canister after every use.

Use Quality Carpet Service: Remember the old saying, 'You get what you pay for'? Well that applies to carpet cleaning services. You may think you are getting a great deal for 3 or more rooms at one low price, but are your carpets really getting cleaned properly? Your carpet is a major investment; don't start compromising with cheap cleaning services.

With these 3 simple tips, your home's carpeting will last for years and give you the beauty and comfort you want!

Is It Time For New Carpet?

Carpet is like a car in many ways. It is a major investment, requires upkeep and it depreciates over time too! And just like a car, it’s nice to have but it needs to be replaced from time-to-time too. The question is, when do you know it is time for new carpet?

American Carpet Clean has seen a large variety of carpeting over the years and from the cleaning aspect of it, we offer you the following signs that can indicate it is time to pull up the old and bring in the new.

Ten Years Old: Carpeting and padding start to wear at about 10 years, some brands may last longer and of course, the amount of traffic over that 10 years is a factor. As the padding ages, the carpet will begin to wrinkle and that is a good indication that the time has come to get new carpeting.

Rips and Tears: The small rips and snags your carpet may get can usually be repaired. If you aren't a handy person around the house, a carpet professional can often mend and repair those things. However, if there are holes in the carpet, it not only looks bad, but can be a safety issue too.

Odors: A home with kids, pets and a lot of traffic are bound to have accidents with drops and spills. While you may have cleaned it up right away and see no signs of the accident, that doesn't mean it didn't soak down into your carpeting and the padding. After a while, those accidents wills start to mildew underneath and mold begins to grow.

To Seal or Not to Seal – That is the Grout and Tile Question!

To finish off a bathroom tiling the shower can be the finishing touch that adds beauty. What many homeowners that are DIY types aren't sure about is if they should seal the tile. The first thing that a professional would ask them “Do you know the difference between what grout is and what tile is?"

While this may seem like a silly question to some, to those who didn't know, it is a learning step, but important to know before you do a tile job yourself. Tile is the pretty part with the colors and designs that attract you to start with. Grout is the stuff that goes between the tiles, filling the gap.

Grout should be sealed for a few reasons:

• Easier To Keep Clean

• Protects From Mold and Mildew

• Keeps It New Looking

Before you apply sealant to the grout, let it sit a day to dry and cure and plan to reseal every 2 to 3 years, depending on the foot traffic it gets. Whether or not you should seal the tile depends on the tile itself. Tile made of limestone, marble, matte, natural stone, slate or terra cotta are porous. They will absorb water so by sealing these materials, you can protect them against mildew, mold, stains and water.

Keep in mind some sealers will darken or even stain the tiles, changing their looks. Once you have stained the tiles, you will need to re-stain them once a year to keep them looking good. Ceramic tile is a beautiful product but is not porous and sealing is not necessary.

So Many Types of Tiles! Which is the Best for My Kitchen?

Tile floors look great in any kitchen. They add style and are also easy to care for, if you choose the right type of tile. So which is the best type of tile for your kitchen? First you need to select a tile that is durable enough for the kitchen. A kitchen is high traffic and prone to have drops and spills that other rooms don't have. There is such a wide variety of kitchen tiles on the market today with materials, price points and sizes. The possibilities are endless.

Glazed and Unglazed

When you start shopping for kitchen tile, you will notice there are glazed tile and unglazed tiles. Glazed means they have been treated. They are easy to clean and resist stains. However, they are smooth so when they are wet, which is highly probable in the kitchen, they become slippery.Unglazed tiles aren't as smooth, so they are less slippery. The textured surface is often aesthetically preferred. However, they aren't as durable and more likely to get damaged and stained in a kitchen.

You will find that there are many different types of tiles too. There are natural materials such as pebble, porcelain, quarry and stone which are durable with a rough texture. They are also on the high end of the price point. Other choices are ceramic or porcelain, both which chip easy and you may find yourself replacing tiles frequently.

Before you buy a tile, think about what is more important in your kitchen. How much traffic does your kitchen have each day? A family with kids in and out will be better off with the most durable product that is easy to clean and resistant to drops and spills.

Vacuum Cleaner Features That Are Important

One of the most important household tools you can have is a vacuum cleaner. When shopping for one, it can be confusing, such as deciding if you need the canister style or an upright. It is important to know the differences between vacuums and knowing which is best for your needs.

Canister style vacuums are lighter weight than the upright style, which makes the upright a little harder to maneuver. The canister style is best for cleaning small gaps and spaces. Today both the canister style and the upright style come with attachments though, so that you can get in those small gaps and spaces with the upright style.

You will also need to choose either the bag or bag less vacuums, both of which have pros and cons to them. The bag type collects the dirt and dust in a sealed bag that is disposed of in the trash. The bag less type sucks the dirt and dust into a cup that is emptied out.

Depending on the area you live in, the filtration of a vacuum cleaner is important. There are 3 types of filters, each having a different suction ability. Homes with allergy sufferers should use the best HEPA filter possible to remove the allergens from the air.

The amount of power a vacuum cleaner has will make a difference in how powerful the suction is, which is determined by the motor's wattage. The higher the wattage, the more power and the stronger the suction.

How To Care For Your Flooring

You put some hard earned money into that ceramic tile floor and the last thing you want to do is damage it by cleaning. There are different methods and different products to use when it comes to cleaning your ceramic tile floors:

Resilient Floors:

This would include vinyl composition tile that is most commonly found in commercial buildings that have a high traffic flow because of its durability. The general care and maintenance is a drawback though and it is recommended by flooring specialist to have a finish or sealant applied to get a glossy look. You will need to regularly mop this type of floor with a neutral pH cleaner to keep that glossy look.

Stone Flooring:

Granite, limestone and marble fall under this category and are popular in home even though it is one of the most expensive types of flooring. This type of floor can be easily damaged if not cared for properly. Just as with the flooring described above, a neutral pH floor cleaner or soap specifically stated for stone floors is recommended. Never use acid or alkaline cleaners and never use flood mop use.

Masonry Flooring:

Flooring in this category includes ceramic tile, clay tile or concrete. How to clean them will depend on the style and texture. Such as glazed ceramic tile is moisture resistant and a neutral pH cleaner is recommended. Concrete flooring is usually sealed and the same neutral pH cleaner is recommended. Acid or alkaline cleaners should be avoided. The grout should be cleaned from time by professionals with slow moving steam machines to bring the dirt out of the deep pores.

Wood Flooring:

Very popular in homes however, care should be taken in the basic maintenance due to the fact that they can be easily damaged. Protecting them from abuse, moisture, soil and stains is a number one priority. Because they are sensitive to scratches and water, the basic maintenance is best with a microfiber flat mop with a commercial wood cleaner.

Laminate Flooring:

Another popular floor in homes, they are found in a combination of cellulose and wood with a melamine coating. This type of flooring probably requires the least amount of care other than daily sweeping and general moping. It is recommended to use minimal amounts of water as they are moisture sensitive.