At First Class Green Cleaning, we like to think we are pretty good at getting most stains or spots out of your carpet. Most of the time, we can be the hero that will keep you from needing to replace. There are some problem spots on carpet that can keep us from being the hero. Today, we will take a look at just a few that will cause us, as professional cleaners, to lose sleep at night, as well as some things you can do to prevent them.
Problem Spots on Carpet: Rub Marks
Rub marks are some of the worst things we come across. Something sits in the same spot and aggressively rubs over the carpet on a regular basis. Eventually, it will look like a dirt spot. You may even call a certified cleaning professional to come out and remove the ugly spot. Unfortunately, the carpet has been so distorted on the tips that there is no amount of cleaning that can remove the discoloration. We see spots like this by exercise machines, doors with bad seals that drag across the carpet, or in front of chairs where busy feet constantly move.
You can prevent this by simply eliminating that which is rubbing. Plan on keeping exercise equipment on hard surfaces, and check doors that rub. A good handyman can often keep the seal from dragging on the carpet. Keeping folks with busy feet can be a little tougher. Try keeping a spare carpet over the area where the feet go to protect the installed carpet.
Problem Spots on Carpet: Household cleaning Products
Household cleaning products can do some serious damage to all fabrics in your home, not just carpet. Windows or mirrors over carpet or furniture, even drapes can be damaged by the blue cleaner most folks use. The image on the left shows a stain from an over aggressive spray of the product on the mirror 4 feet above (yes it dripped down the wall). The dye in this product can be horrifically difficult to remove. Sometimes, it just does not come out.
Maybe you decide you can use a colorless version of the same brand. That will take care of the problem, right? You would avoid the dye issue, but the fact remains that a chemical too strong for sensitive fabrics can possibly get onto your furniture, drapes or carpet. What happens when this occurs is any one persons best guess. the best case scenario would be nothing. Worst case? That would be more like the image to the right, leaving you with a spot of carpet that no longer holds the fabrics original dye.
The best form of prevention for this is first to understand just how many fabrics your cleaning product could possibly contact, and second, to cover, move, or protect anything you may not want to affect. If you are worried about a sofa sitting under a mirror, a large beach towel can be used to catch the light mist that may come into contact. If you are concerned with the carpet you must cross with a bucket of bleach water (why you should never need said bucket is topic for another time), plastic and careful walking would be your would be the best bet.
