MY CARPET SMELLS LIKE DOG AFTER CLEANING

"Why does my carpet smell like dog after cleaning even though I have no dog!"

 Have you had your carpet cleaned and noticed a funny smell? Like wet dog?  This is probably because the home owners before you had dogs in the house.

"But it didn't smell of dog before"

That's because the house has aired out, the smell that lingered in the air has worked its way out and so generally you do not notice the doggy smell.  The carpets will have, I would assume, been at least vacuumed and in reasonable condition once you entered the house so much of the animal hair and dander that resided on the surface of the carpet will have been removed.

When you have your carpets cleaned you are cleaning deep within the fibers and bringing up all the dust and dirt that has worked its way down there - including all the old dog hair and dander!  This has now been bought up to the surface of the carpet and much has been removed with the Hot Water Extraction, however not all of it.  There will now be some residual hair and dander on the surface of the carpet which will be damp - and damp hair = damp dog smell!

You will need to give the carpet a few good goes with the vacuum cleaner, that will remove the now resurfaced dog hair.  This should eliminate the problem of wet dog smell.

 For more information on how to remove dog urine from carpet read here:

http://artofcleanuk.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/tips-on-how-to-remove-dog-urine.html 

Art of Clean are specialists in: 

Carpet Cleaning,
Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning,

Hardwood Floor Cleaning, 

Stone floor Cleaning,

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information about our services please contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or visit www.artofclean.co.uk.

 

 

 

How to remove candle wax from carpet

There's nothing more seasonal and romantic than twinkling candles.

But when candles spill over on the carpet the panic will start - but don't panic!

Getting candle wax out of a carpet takes a few tricks, so here they are....

1. Get to work on it asap - As with all stains the longer they are left the more difficult it becomes to fix.

2. Freeze the wax.  First off you will want to remove as much of the solid wax as possible, to do this place an ice pack on the wax to harden it.  Do not let the wax get wet as this will prove MORE difficult to remove.  Once the wax has become very cold use a knife to chip away at the wax removing as much as you can.  Vacuum up the loosened wax.

3. Heat the wax.  Next you will wan to remove the wax that is embedded into the fibers, for this you will need to met the wax under controlled conditions.  Place a clean white terry cloth,, or a paper bag, over the wax and apply a warm iron - do not make the iron too hot else you risk burning the bag/carpet! Once some wax has transferred to the cloth/bag move the cloth/bag so that the wax has a clean absorbable spot to transfer to - be sure you don't let the melted wax on the cloth/bag spread over the carpet when moving!

4. Removing colour stain - Use specialist carpet cleaning solution spray the affected area and blot away the stain.  Always read the instructions first.  And always test solvent on an inconspicuous area of carpet first!

    If you have any concerns about handling the stain it is best to contact a professional first, they will very often give you advice to deal with the stain yourself.
   
   
   

   Art of Clean are always happy to help.

   For more information about our services please contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or visit www.artofclean.co.uk.

   Art of Clean are specialists in: 

   Carpet Cleaning,
   Rug Cleaning,

   Upholstery Cleaning 

   Leather Furniture Cleaning,

   Hardwood Floor Cleaning, 
   Stone floor Cleaning,
   Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

   
   

Why DIY carpet cleaning doesn't always work.... Rug Doctor Odour Remover Fail

Our client tried to use the Rug Doctor Odour Remover to clean their carpet, you'd think it would do as it says on the bottle right?!

Sadly not.  This actually left the carpet in a worse state.  The Cambridge based client called us up to fix the problem.  Thankfully there was no lasting damage and out technicians managed to remove all of the residue left by the Rug Doctor solution.

Rug Doctor Odour Remover

http://www.carpetcleanerscambridge.co.uk/

The mess The Rug Doctor spray left behind

After

If you ever need some advice on how to maintain your carpets we are happy to discuss your issue.

We also have many helpful tips on our blog where you may be able to find a solution.

Where possible we will encourage you to deal with small challenges yourself and advise you on some tried and tested products that we can vouch for, such as the Carpet Spot & Stain Remover we use (available at our online store www.artofcleanonline.co.uk), which you may have received a complementary bottle of in your post-carpet clean gift pack.

Where we believe you will need assistance to deal with the carpet issue we will be happy to schedule for one of our technicians to assist you.

Art of Clean are specialists in: 

Rug Cleaning,

Hardwood Floor Cleaning, 

Stone floor Cleaning,  

Carpet Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information about our services please contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or visit www.artofclean.co.uk.

What to do with your old carpet when you get it replaced? Carpet recycling

Each year 400,000 tonnes of carpet waste is buried in UK landfill

Increasingly, businesses, householders and local authorities are looking
for better alternatives for the recycling of unwanted carpet materials. We
help ensure that the growing demand for carpet recycling services is met.

Carpets are made from natural and synthetic fibres, which still have a value once the carpet is no longer wanted; they can be used in a wide range of applications from sports surfaces to insulation.

Sourced from: http://www.carpetrecyclinguk.com/

Did you ever stop to think..."What is going to happen to all that old carpet they just ripped out?"

No?

Probably like most of us you just imagined it will head off to the dump.  But then where does it go?  A staggering 400,000 tonnes of old carpet used to end up in landfill to rot down over decades.

What a waste!  But what else can you do with an old carpet?

Surprisingly there is a lot you can do with discarded carpet according to Carpet Recycling UK.  Most notable of these uses are:

• Insulation - broken down the fluffy fibers can be reused for great insulation
• Power Generation - the fibers can be made into fuel pellets to power cement kilns
• Reuse - Many up-rooted carpet tiles still have years of use left, cleaned up these offer a fantastic low cost flooring option to third sector companies and charities who have limited fund.

To prolong the life of your carpet be sure to have your carpet cleaned regularly.

Not just vacuuming the carpet, but have your carpets deep cleaned at least once a year to remove ingrained soiling.  This will not only make your carpets clean and fresh but it will also greatly reduce the wear of the fibers because of soil associated abrasion.

Art of Clean are specialists in: 

Carpet Cleaning,
Rug Cleaning,

Hardwood Floor Cleaning, 

Stone floor Cleaning,  

Upholstery Cleaning

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information about our services please contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or visit www.artofclean.co.uk.

#3 - In the advent of Christmas we are giving 24 reasons to have your carpet cleaned

It's just 22 days until Christmas!

http://designhomes.pics

 

 

With family coming round it's time to get the house looking it's best.  In order to prepare your home for their arrival, at the top of your "to do" list should be getting your carpets cleaned.  We're going to give you 24 festive reasons to have tour carpet cleaned.....

Reason #3

Removing ingrained dog/cat hair, dander and scent so house smells fresh for guests

 

We love our pets, and often they get away with murder just by giving your those big dowy-eyes.  I know mine do!

We get so used to our lovely fury friends being around that we may not notice they do to our homes.  

• A wet smelly dog can leave quite an odor - especially if they sneakily make their way to the carpet and had a good roll around!! 

• An anxious kitty may have left a widdle somewhere on the carpet that has a lingering smell that our noses just don't notice anymore.

•  Hair and dander become ingrained in the carpet fibers and vacuuming doesn't get down deep enough

   

  Getting your carpets cleaned will give you the peace of mind that when little-ones come to visit they can sit, roll, crawl on the floor and you needn't worry about whats down there with them.

   

  Art of Clean are specialists in: 

  Rug Cleaning,
  Hardwood Floor Cleaning, 
  Stone floor Cleaning,  
  Carpet Cleaning,
  Upholstery Cleaning
  Leather Furniture Cleaning, 
  
  
  Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

  For more information about our services please contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or visit www.artofclean.co.uk.

   

   

   

#2 - In the advent of Christmas we are giving 24 reasons to have your carpet cleaned

It's just 23 days until Christmas!

With family coming round it's time to get the house looking it's best.  In order to prepare your home for their arrival, at the top of your "to do" list should be getting your carpets cleaned.  We're going to give you 24 festive reasons to have tour carpet cleaned.....

Reason #2

Not only will the carpet look good, the atmosphere of the whole room will be improved

Did you know that carpets play a huge roll in the condition of your homes atmosphere?

The fibers of the carpet create a small ecosystem of their own, collecting and harboring anything that comes in contact with them, be it soil, dust, pollen and smells.  Vacuuming will only extract the surface layer of this ecosystem, some of which will be pumped back into the rooms atmosphere from the vacuuming process.

To have your home smelling really fresh the carpets need to be deep cleaned once a year.

 

Art of Clean are specialists in: 

Rug Cleaning,
Hardwood Floor Cleaning, 
Stone floor Cleaning,  
Carpet Cleaning,
Upholstery Cleaning
Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information about our services please contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or visit www.artofclean.co.uk.

 

Carpet Resoiling

" Do your carpets become dirty more quickly after they have been cleaned?"

http://vatsam.org

The answer is Yes....and No.  To explain this I have broken the information into different sections here for you......

Yes

Carpets will naturally loose a small amount of their pile over time due to wear and tear, the cleaning process will remove this shed pile and the pile density will no longer be so great (this is only marginal and will not be a visible change).  Due to the slightly smaller pile mass there will be proportionately less surface area for the soil to hide in and so the carpet may appear soiled sooner.  However the cleaning process did not actually cause soil to accumulate faster.

Another point to consider is that even the very best carpet cleaners will not remove ALL of the soiling, there will still be a little residual soiling, which will mean the carpet will be that degree of soiled to start out, so yes it may seem that the carpets will soil faster to a small degree.  But this is not due to the cleaning process.

No

On a technical side, if the process is done correctly, the actual cleaning process should not cause the carpets to retain soil any faster.  Modern industrial standard solution will not leave a sticky residue like the old shampoos used to, once dry they do not attract soil.  The only time that the cleaning process can actually be the cause of rapid re-soiling is if the incorrect solution has been used, or the solution has not been used in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.

Modern water extraction carpet cleaning systems (handled by a competent technician) are also very efficient at removing the solution from the carpet.

To ensure your carpets have the best treatment it is best to employ a carpet cleaner that is certified.  They have a strict code of practice to adhere to and are trained to the highest standard.  Look for their industry certifications from companies such as NCCA (National Carpet Cleaners Association) or IICRC (Institue of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certificate)

Art of Clean area proudly certified in  Carpet Cleaning, Rug Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, Hardwood Floor Cleaning, Stone floor Cleaning, and Leather Furniture Cleaning, for domestic or commercial spaces throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information about our services please contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or visit www.artofclean.co.uk.

Carpet cleaning under the bed to remove dust mites

It's easy to think that cleaning you sheets regularly and giving your mattress the occasional clean will eliminate the dust mites, but you will be surprised how much skin and dander will fall under the bed.

Did you know that over 80% of asthma sufferers are affected by dust mites? 

It is important when getting carpets cleaned not to miss out the carpet under the bed - some carpet cleaners will just clean around the bed and leave the dust mites beading safely under your bed.

Moving  a bed can be tricky if the bed has legs on the underside, legs can break off if the bed is handled badly.  Dragging a heavy object such as a bed frame across a carpet can also damage the carpet fibers.

How do we do it at Art of Clean? 

We use sliders/skidders to slide the bed safely.

In this photo the legs under the bed have been lifted, foam blocks and skidders have been placed underneath so the legs under the bed do not touch the carpet, the bed can now be moved more easily and without worry of damaging the legs or the carpet fibers.  Once the bed is safely moved we can proceed to deep clean under the bed.

We are a professional cleaning company who specialise in  Rug Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning Hardwood Floor Cleaning, Stone floor Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning, and Leather Furniture Cleaning for domestic and commercial clients.  We work through out Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

Call us on 01223 863632 or see our website www.artofclean.co.uk to find out more.

Chimney fire! Call in the chimney sweeps to clean your fireplace before catastrophe happens

It's getting cold out! Time to get the fire going??

Before you get your fire going this winter..... ESPECIALLY if you have bought an old home with a lovely open fireplace and haven't used it before.....get your chimney cleaned!

We heard worrying news the other day from a local chimney sweep, about entire chimneys going up in flamed because the debris had not been removed!

Here's a BBC news story we found that highlights some key issues:

There's nothing better than snuggling up on the floor close to the warm glow of the fire, so after your chimney has been swept and it's safe to get the fire going you may want to consider getting your carpet or rug cleaned so you have a clean cosy spot to snuggle up on.  Contact Art of Clean for more information on the service we offer.  Call us on 01223 863632 or see our website www.artofclean.co.uk to find out more.

We are a professional cleaning company who specialise in Carpet Cleaning, Rug Cleaning, Hardwood Floor Cleaning, Stone floor Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning and Leather Furniture Cleaning cleaning for domestic an commercial clients through out Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

First Impressions

First impressions count and this elegant and welcoming entrance hall certainly delivers wow factor.A central staircase, lofty proportions and a fireplace make this space more of a room than a hall, but there are ways to capture this look even if yours is less generously proportioned. A grand mirror will add height and depth, and if there’s little space for a round table like this one, try a slimline console and add a vase of foliage to set the tone. Here, the putty coloured walls are picked out by a tonal rug (try sisal or coir for a hard-wearing but natural note) while artwork adds character. It all adds up to an instantly effective space.

Sourced from: http://www.roomenvy.co.uk

A home with a dirty floor, rug or furniture is certainly not the best first impression so contact Art of Clean for more information on the service we offer.  Call us on 01223 863632 or see our website www.artofclean.co.uk to find out more.

We are a professional cleaning company who specialise in Carpet Cleaning, Rug Cleaning, Hardwood Floor Cleaning, Stone floor Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning and Leather Furniture Cleaning cleaning for domestic an commercial clients through out Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

Why choose a carpet cleaner with a truck-mounted system?

When it comes to getting your carpets cleaned there are a number of options available two main options available:

1. Rent a DIY carpet cleaner - such as Rug Doctor

These are readily available from a number of stores around Cambridge that offer rug doctor hire including Tesco, Asda and Mackays Hardware Store.  And if you decide you want to get the job done yourself on a small budget then a rug doctor is probably a good option for you. (Just be aware there are limitations to its success, this will be discussed further on)

2. Hire a carpet cleaner

There are great number of carpet cleaners in Cambridge, all with a varying degree of experience, training and technology - for a detailed guide on how to choose see our blog on How to Find the Right Professional Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner.

• Low end carpet cleaners will simply use a DIY style carpet cleaner machine like the Rug Doctor.  They will charge a budget price.
• Medium level carpet cleaners will use a small portable extraction machine.  They will invariably charge a moderate price.
• High end carpet cleaners will use a Truck-Mounted extraction system.  You can expect to pay a higher price for their service.

So, why do I want to hire someone with a truck-mounted system?

Truck -mounted systems are the most powerful carpet cleaning technology on the market today, and here I'll explain what advantages this offers:

They work by Hot Water Extraction, AKA "Steam Cleaning", and is the IICRC's recommended method of carpet cleaning.  Here's why:

Speed

Truck-mounted systems are a faster carpet cleaning option.  Unlike portable systems there is no need to stop and empty the extracted water, they have a waste tank on-board.  The water and solution as also stored on board and ready for action, so there is no need to stop and refill.

Not only is the cleaning process quicker with a truck-mounted system but, thanks the the heat and power of the system, the carpets dry faster - allowing you to get back to using the space again.

Heat

Truck-mounted systems can raise the waters temperature to over 150 Degrees Celsius at truck level, this will lower to around 100 degrees by the time it reaches your carpet, creating the steaming effect that encourages its common name "steam cleaner".

Portable electric powered machines cannot produce heat to this degree, and rug doctors work with only warm water.

Power

Being the most powerful system, truck-mounted extractors remove more soil, polled and chemicals that the less powerful systems.  DIY systems have a greatly inferior power and will clean only the surface of the carpet, leaving much soiling deeper in the carpet that will eventually work its way up once the carpet is disturbed.

Increased vacuum power will also remove residue more successfully; residual solution left in the carpet attracts dust ad dirt and will cause carpets to quickly become dirty again.

Portable machines release circulated air back inside house, kicking up the pollen and dust into the atmosphere.  Truck-mounted extracts pump the air outside leaving a cleaner atmosphere.


N.B. Our truck mounts use LPG! A greener source of fuel ~ good for us, good for the environment.

We are a professional cleaning company who specialise in Carpet, Rug, Hardwood floor, Stone floor, Upholstery and Leather cleaning for domestic an commercial clients.

 For more information about our services contact the team on 01223 863632 or at www.artofclean.co.uk to find out more.

How to prepare your home for carpet cleaning

You have the carpet cleaners coming, what should you do to prepare your home?

 

If your anything like me then there will be places where "things" are stored/places/tucked away and hidden from sight that, when you get down to it, takes a bit of time to clear out.  So start out early.  This is also a great time to have a little sort out!

Firstly - Remove the small stuff

Give your self a little time time to go round the rooms and make a little mental list of what needs to be moved from the floor area. You want the floor to be completely clear of odds and ends, for example:

• Kids toys / pets toys / scratching posts
• Pets bedding
• Magazine racks
• Vases
• Statues
• Anything stored under/behind furniture

Store these in another room for the time being, one that is not due to be cleaned.

Now your room should be looking quite clear

 Next - Prepare the big stuff

A good carpet cleaner will clean the entire carpet including both beneath and behind the furniture.  They will move the furniture for you but you will need to consider removing the following items before their arrival:

• Any objects on top of furniture or inside display cabinets - such as ornaments, vases, picture frames, ashtrays - anything that could move/fall/break when furniture is moved should be removed and stored away safely.
• Any small furniture such as stools and side tables should be stored elsewhere.
• The contents or drawers of heavy furniture such as chests and dressers should be removed to allow the technician to move the heavy furniture.

Now your room will be looking a little empty!

Finally

 There are just a few last points to consider removing from the room:

• Any excessive soil or debris from the carpet
• Any pets and/or children!

Your room should now be ready for the team to come in and whip through their work, obstacle free

REMINDER - A GOOD CARPET CLEANER WILL PLACE FOIL TABS OF SOME OTHER PROTECTION UNDERNEATH THE FURNITURE TO PREVENT IT FROM ABSORBING MOISTURE THAT COULD 1) DAMAGE THE FURNITURE, OR 2) CAUSE COLOUR TRANSFER FROM THE FURNITURE TO THE DAMP CARPET.

We are a professional cleaning company who specialise in Carpet, Rug, Hardwood floor, Stone floor, Upholstery and Leather cleaning for domestic an commercial clients.

 For more information about our services contact the team on 01223 863632 or at www.artofclean.co.uk to find out more.