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DIY upholstery cleaning in Orange County

Upholstery cleaning is expensive. A professional sofa cleaning costs about $100, while chairs can cost about $50 each — additional fees may be charged for each cushion. Given that all upholstered furniture should be cleaned every 12 months, it can get pricey to keep your upholstered pieces fresh and free of stains.

You might want to consider cleaning upholstery yourself. It’s not difficult, and most upholstery can be safely cleaned at home. Check your upholstery tags for cleaning codes. They are usually found under the seat cushions on one side of the furniture.

Upholstery tags that read “W” or “WS” can be cleaned at home with a water-based cleaner. Upholstery tags labeled “S” must be cleaned with a water-free dry cleaning solution. Because dry cleaning solvents contain toxic chemicals, it’s best to have “S” rated upholstery cleaned professionally. Upholstery labeled “X” should also be cleaned by a professional.

It’s not a good idea to wait too long between upholstery cleanings. The more dirt that accumulates on the fabric, the harder it is to remove, the more damage it does to the texture, and the more difficult it is to restore upholstery to its original color and appearance.

 

Before cleaning upholstery

Being careful to clean uphostery properly is a critical element to execute a job well-done. Follow these steps to ensure success before tidying up your furniture:

1. Remove furniture cushions2. Vacuum all surfaces thoroughly with an upholstery attachment3. Be sure to vacuum all the nooks and cranniesOne of the best water based upholstery cleaners is very easy to make at home. Put one cup of warm (not hot) water into a mixing bowl and then add 1/4 cup of biodegradable dish washing soap. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the liquid becomes a thick foam. This foam will remove built up dirt and most food or drink stains. Not only is this cleaner simple to make and cheap to use, it’s also nontoxic and environmentally-friendly. Most commercial upholstery cleaners contain hazardous ingredients like acetone or carcinogenic agents like nitrilotriacetic acid.

 

The cleaning process

Once your ready to take on cleaning, implement this process to keep your task on track:

1. Test the cleaner in an inconspicuous area for shrinkage and colorfastness2. Use a soft-bristled brush to rub foam gently onto the fabric3. Dirt will lift out of the upholstery fabric and into the foam4. Remove used foam with a spatula5. Dampen a clean white cloth with fresh water and wipe away the remaining suds6. Rinse the cloth and wipe againTake care to use a minimal amount of water. Too much moisture can leave water stains and cause fabric shrinkage. Keep the foam away from wood surfaces such as armrests and steer clear of recliner levers to prevent rust. This process can be used on individual stains or on an entire upholstered surface. If you clean the entire surface, be sure to let it dry completely before replacing the cushions and pillows or sitting on it.

Leather upholstery is even easier to clean because you don’t have to wait for it to dry. Make your own leather cleaner by adding a few drops of moisturizing soap to a slightly damp washcloth. Gently wipe off a section of the leather upholstery, use another slightly damp washcloth to remove the soap, then buff with a dry washcloth. Repeat this process over the entire upholstered area.In between cleanings, vacuum upholstery thoroughly every two weeks and treat stains immediately. If spills are wet, blot the moisture first with paper towels and then spot-treat with a cleaner. If the spill involves solids such as food, scoop it off with a spatula and then treat with a stain-remover. Avoid rubbing staining agents into the upholstery. The water-based cleaner suggested above will lift stains out instead.

 

Why hire?

The chief reason you would hire a professional upholstery cleaner is that there are many stains you can’t remove yourself. Most furniture is upholstered with specific fabrics that do not respond well to normal cleaning methods. Special chemicals are needed to clean this upholstery, chemicals that most homeowners do not possess. Professional upholstery cleaners have expertise in using these chemicals to clean all kinds of furniture.Furthermore, the unique shapes of upholstered furniture call for special tools to clean all the nooks and crannies found on most furniture. It’s not cost effective for most homeowners to buy these tools. It is far more efficient to hire a professional upholstery cleaner instead.Cleaning companies will come to your home and clean the furniture wherever it is located. In rare circumstances, a professional upholstery cleaner may have to take your furniture to another location for a special cleaning. This will only happen in the case that the furniture is particularly soiled or when it is made from an extremely unusual fabric.Most of the chemicals that professional upholstery cleaners use are similar to the chemicals used in the dry cleaning of clothes. As a rule, these chemicals are generally safe for people and animals once they have dried. At the same time, however, they can cause respiratory issues, so it is important for upholstery cleaning to always take place in a well-ventilated area.The most dangerous upholstery cleaning chemicals are those chemicals that contain volatile organic compounds. These chemicals are still safe once they have dried, but they can lead to respiratory problems if they are inhaled. To prevent these difficulties, make sure to ventilate well the room in which the furniture is cleaned. Those who are particularly concerned about these chemicals can hire a professional upholstery cleaner that uses chemicals with low levels of volatile organic compounds. There are also many professional upholstery cleaners that use green chemicals, which are chemicals that are not harmful to people, animals or the natural environment.

 

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Your car’s upholstery probably takes more wear and tear than you realize: Soiled shoes, spilled drinks, kids and pets can quickly turn your car’s interior into a mess. Follow these 10 upholstery cleaning tips to help eradicate the mess:

1. Deal with spilled drinks immediately

It’s not always easy to do, especially if you’re traveling on the highway or in heavy traffic, but the quicker you clean up spills such as coffee, juice or cola, the less likely you’ll have a stain set in your seat fabric or carpet. Fist, dilute the spill cool water (never use hot water, it can set the stain). Then, blot the excess liquid up with a clean rag or paper towel.

2. Use glass cleaner for difficult stains

Some difficult stains that remain even after you clean them can sometimes be broken up with glass cleaner. Before using glass cleaner to remove a stain, test it in an inconspicuous area to make sure it won’t stain the fabric or carpet itself. Then saturate the area with glass cleaner, let it sit for five minutes, then blot to clean.

3. Attack ink stains with hairspray

If you somehow get ink on your car’s interior fabric or carpet, spray the area with hairspray. Let it sit for a few minutes until it absorbs the stain, then wipe it off. Repeat as needed.

4. Don’t let bloodstains set

If blood comes in contact with your vehicle’s upholstery, do not clean it with hot water, which can set the stain. Make a paste with cold water and powdered laundry detergent. Apply to the stain until the stain dries, then use a brush or vacuum to remove it. Clean up any excess laundry detergent to avoid attracting more stains or dirt to the area.

5. Clean vinyl the right way

In general, vinyl upholstery can be cleaned with a damp rag and baking soda. Rinse this mixture off with water and dish soap. Avoid using any oil- or mineral-based cleaners, which can make vinyl stiff.

6. Give carpet a deep clean

The key to cleaning interior carpet and fabric upholstery is to get deep into the fibers. Using one gallon of hot water, mix one cup of vinegar and some dish soap, then use a hard bristle brush to work into the fibers. Let this sit for about 30 minutes before rinsing with water and blotting it dry with rags.

7. Dry leather thoroughly

Leather upholstery is quite sensitive to water, but water is necessary to clean it. Use a cloth with water and a low-pH soap to clean it, then dry thoroughly afterwards.

8. Use ammonia to brighten fading carpet

If your car’s non-wool carpeting is fading, vacuum it thoroughly. Then, use a mixture of half a cup of ammonia and one pint of water to mop the carpeting. Do not use ammonia if the carpeting is made of wool.

9. Remove fabric indentations with an iron

Heavy objects left in the cargo hold or other areas of the car interior can sometimes leave indentations. To fix this, cover the marks with a damp towel, then use an iron set on a low setting and gently iron the towel. Do not use a hot iron and do not leave the iron in one spot for too long, as this can melt the carpet fibers.

10. Know when to call in the pros

If you prefer to save your elbow grease or when you try these various strategies don’t work effectively, it may be time to call in an auto detailing professional rather than continuing to attack the stain with your own methods and risk damage to the upholstery.

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A professional cleaner isn’t needed for every furniture mess, but there are times when it’s the best choice. Here’s what to consider before you hire an upholstery cleaner:

How dirty is your furniture?

You can easily clean a small stain on your couch cushion, but if your pets have claimed your couch as their own, you might want to hire a professional upholstery cleaningcompany. A professional will know the best ways to remove stubborn pet hair and stains.

If using the upholstery tool on your vacuum doesn’t do the trick, it’s time for a deep cleaning.

What material covers your furniture?

If your furniture is a combination of cloth and any other fabric, you may find that hiring a professional cleaner is the recommended way to get it clean. Many store-bought cleaners are not designed to be used on multiple types of material. Upholstered kitchen chairs are a good example of furniture that should be regularly cleaned by a professional, since fabric cleaner may damage wood and kitchen fabrics get soiled easily.

Is your furniture under warranty?

If your furniture is still under any warranty, cleaning it on your own may invalidate the warranty. Read over your warranty paperwork before attempting any cleaning. If a professional upholstery cleaner is required, discuss the warranty with the company you hire before they begin work. There may be extra steps they’ll need to take to maintain your warranty. If you are unsure what your warranty requires, contact the company that holds the warranty.

How much time do you have?

If you are planning a major event, hiring professional upholstery cleaners may be the most cost- and time-effective choice. On the other hand, if you have time, and supplies, to clean your furniture and wait for it to dry before you need to use it, you may prefer to do it yourself.

If you do decide to hire someone, consider also how we can help.

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We understand how important your pet is to you and your family.That’s why pet accidents and the odors they leave behind are even more frustrating. And because these odors are embedded in your carpets and upholstery, they can often attract your pet to “reoffend” again and again,creating a vicious cycle that leads to an embarrassing problem.

You’ve probably noticed by now that pet odors and stains can be difficult to remove. But, that’s where Pacific Carpet Cleaning comes in! Our experts will quickly and efficiently locate and treat the problem, restoring the pleasant home environment you and your loved ones deserve. Here’s how we do it:

Our Pet Odor & Stain Removal Process

Step 1: Black Light Detection of Problem Areas

Using a black light, we carefully examine all areas of your carpet and upholstery to detect the telltale signs of pet urine: The urine salts that have been deposited into the carpet and dried there will glow under the black light. This is the best way of locating all urine-contaminated areas.

Step 2: Pre-Treatment with ­­ Protein-Digesting Solution

Our pet odor specialists will then pre-treat your carpet or upholstery with a solution that breaks down the proteins in the urine, preparing them for removal.

Step 3: Pet Odor and Stain Removal using Special Enzyme Cleaners

We then use organic enzyme cleaners that work to microscopically break down, digest, and remove the odors and stains. Our methods do not simply mask unpleasant pet odors. They destroy the bacteria that cause the odors.

Stubborn Cases

Stubborn cases where pet urine has soaked down through the carpet’s backing, into the padding, and possibly even onto the floor, require special treatment with deep extraction methods. Especially stubborn cases can sometimes involve temporarily removing the carpet to replace the pad and tack strip and treat the floor and underside of the carpet. Our expert carpet cleaner-installers would then replace the carpet before completing the cleaning and stain-removal process.

Quality Pet Odor and Pet Stain Removal from New York Carpet Cleaning, Inc.

If stubborn pet odors are ruining your enjoyment of your home, call Pacific Carpet Cleaning today. Let us help you restore the sweet-smelling environment that will make life so much more pleasant for you and your family.

 

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Re-grouting: “Nothing shows the wear of a home more than dirty or discolored grout.” Grout joints will typically begin to deteriorate and discolor in the tub or shower area over a period of time while your tiles themselves may maintain their original beauty and shine. Our process of grout removal and replacement will give you that “new” look at a fraction of the cost of replacement. The job is performed in one day without the hassle of removal and installation; you will have full use of your shower again within 48 hours.

Caulking: New caulking around the tub and or shower edges provides that clean look you have been trying to achieve. Nothing seems to gross us out more than that black caulking we see every time we shower. After we cut out your moldy caulking, we will also treat that stubborn reappearing mold, mildew and fungus at the source. Our environmentally friendly products are designed specifically for wet areas and provide a superior seal and appearance. Shower is ready to use in 24 hours.

Water Damage: Batman has The Joker, Superman has Lex Luthor and your Shower’s Tile and Grout has an evil villain as well, Water Damage. When water damage strikes, call Pacificc to save the day. We will replace your rotted backerboard, eliminate mold, re-use your tile and save you the expense of re-tiling the whole shower!

Shower Tile Cleaning and Repair –  only $89 to $159  – Pacific of Orange County Specialist are experts in the Los Angeles area in  removing mold from your shower walls and restoring your tile and grout back to a like new condition. We have been cleaning showers with tile and grout, Travertine, marble and slate for over 25 years. No matter what type of tile or stone, we can handle it.

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Whether its shower tile, wall tile, or floor tile cleaning the bathroom has always been considered the worse job in the house. Tile and grout cleaning can be very labor intensive; hand scrubbing with harsh chemicals can be very tough and can create discouraging results. Mold and mildew can also be an issue. Amazing uses a specially designed tool that utilizes high pressure and hot water to literally blast the dirt and film from those tough to clean bathroom cracks and crevices. Our system leaves your tile sparkling clean. Grout is porous, so once cleaned, we recommend a sealer to help keep dirt, soap, and oils from penetrating the grout and preventing permanent staining.Let Amazing make your life easier by taking care of the dirtiest job in the house!

Shower Tile Cleaning only $89 to $159  Pacific of Orange County Specialist are experts in the Los Angeles area in  removing mold from your shower walls and restoring your tile and grout back to a like new condition. We have been cleaning showers with tile and grout, Travertine, marble and slate for over 25 years. No matter what type of tile or stone, we can handle it.

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Shower Tile Cleaning only $89 to $159

Cleaning your shower tile floors and walls can be a difficult chore if you don’t have the right shower tile cleaning equiptment.

Pacific of Orange County Specialist are experts in the Los Angeles area in  removing mold from your shower walls and restoring your tile and grout back to a like new condition. We have been cleaning showers with tile and grout, travertine, marble and slate for over 25 years. No matter what type of tile or stone, we can handle it.

 

Our Shower Tile Cleaning Process

1. Pretreatment for removing mold/mildew from shower walls and floors

2. Apply cleaning solution designed to remove contaminants from tiles and grout, travertine, marble or slate

3. agitate tile and grout

4. Pressurized steam cleaning rinse to remove soap scum and bulid up from your shower tile floors and walls

5. Repair and seal all tile and grout

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Carpet cleaning runs the gamut from store-bought products to rented steam cleaners and professional cleaning services. You have several different options when it comes to refreshing your carpets, but how do you know which is best for your home?

At-home carpet cleaning methods

There’s a wide range of carpet cleaning products for under $10 that use a combination of chemicals to break down and lift stains out of your carpet. Popular examples include spray-on products and carpet cleaning powders that can be applied and then vacuumed up.

One benefit to at-home carpet cleaning products is they can be used to remove small stains and for spot treatments. They’re also less expensive than other methods, and they have a short drying time.

However, the chemicals in these products, including perchloroethylene and naphthalene, can cause damage to the central nervous system if inhaled in large amounts. Some store-bought cleaning products have been know to bleach carpets, so it’s always wise to test a small section of carpet before applying it throughout your home.

Renting carpet cleaners from a store

To deal with larger stains or clean the entire house, some homeowners choose to rent a steam-cleaning machine from their local supermarket or hardware store. These machines are often available for $20 to $30 per day, and usually require a security deposit. You may also have to purchase cleaning chemicals separately. Be sure to follow directions that come with the cleaner to make sure it isn’t damaged during use.

It’s also important to note that despite the name, these machines don’t actually use steam to clean. Instead, they use hot water in combination with detergent to soak your carpet, and then use powerful suction to suck the water back out.

Some of the benefits to renting a carpet cleaning machines is they are inexpensive and are typically more effective than store-bought carpet cleaning products. However, they also have a long drying time, and the tanks need to be changed periodically as they fill with dirty carpet water.

Hiring a professional service

Another option is to hire a professional cleaning service. These companies use steam-cleaning or dry cleaning methods to refresh your carpets.

Professional steam-cleaning machines are similar to the type you can rent, except that actually use high-powered steam to remove stains. Dry cleaning methods use almost no water, instead relying on chemicals to break them down. Once destroyed, the stains can be vacuumed up.

Professional companies may charge per square foot or by the room. Some charge extra for cleaning stairs or moving furniture.

Many companies now use eco-friendly products. In addition, they know how to effectively remove chemical residue and can recommend specific cleaning methods based on your carpet type, its age and the type of cleaning you need. We at Pacific Carpet Cleaning of Orange County utilizes the Most Powerful Cleaning Units on the Planet!

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So you just had your carpets cleaned. They certainly needed it and the technician did a great job, but now he’s telling you that you can’t go into any of the rooms he cleaned until the carpet dries. How long will that take?

You’ve got the dog chained outside, the cat’s been locked into a bathroom and she’s starting to express her displeasure loudly. Meanwhile, the kids are on their third time through their video in the breakfast room and you’ve got company coming this evening.

The answer to this question depends on who you call to do the work. With a “clean and go” service, you’re at the mercy of the weather. Sure, the carpets will dry pretty quick if it’s hot and sunny outside, but that will require you opening all the doors and windows.

If it’s rainy outside, your carpets will dry some time after it stops raining. Even then, there’s that squishy, sticky feeling that doesn’t go away for a few hours further.

On the other hand, some companies bring fans instead of relying on natural evaporation. These fans aren’t your typical box fans that you break out on a hot day, but are much more powerful and are custom made to dry your carpets.

The proper equipment for drying carpets is fans that are used by companies that clean up after flooding. Floor fans are the quickest and most efficient way to dry your carpets. They move large volumes of air just above the surface of the carpet, evaporating the moisture more quickly.

Two fans can dry your carpet in as little as 20 minutes. With one floor being dried while the next room is being cleaned, you can be back on your wonderfully clean and dry carpet within minutes instead of hours.

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If you’re meticulous about keeping carpets tidy and stain-free, your know the benefit of professional carpet cleanings. Unfortunately, scams are popular thanks to high-pressure sales tactics and a lack of consumer familiarity with the process. If you’re looking to hire a pro, watch out for these three common carpet cleaning scams.

The ‘unbelievably low prices’ scam

You’ll see this one from salespeople who come to your door, claiming to offer the lowest price in town. They might tell you about competitors offers or have fliers with them showing what other companies charge. In reality, the person at your door is getting paid for the number of sales he or she makes. If you agree to the price, the salesperson leaves and a “pro” comes back a few days later. Once inside your home, the price suddenly starts to rise because you have thicker than average carpet, your rooms are a strange size or there are certain types of stains on your floor. Regardless of the price you initially agreed to, it suddenly spirals out of control, and you find yourself paying for services you don’t need or want. The fix? Never agree to anything a door-to-door salesman sells, especially if he or she tells you it’s a limited time offer. Always call the company on your time and your own terms.

The ‘best method’ scam

There are several common methods for carpet cleaning. The most popular is steam cleaning, which actually uses hot water and a chemical detergent. Clean water and detergent are pushed into your carpet using high-powered tools, and dirty water is pulled back out using a vacuum. Dry cleaning, meanwhile, uses a very small amount of water and powered chemicals to pull stains out of your carpet and refresh the fibers.

Some companies will try to scam you by claiming to use the “best” method available. The problem? There’s no such thing; what works best for your carpet depends on its age, material, pile and the amount of cleaning it requires. Of course, this “best” cleaning method comes with a huge price tag, and won’t clean your carpet any better than either method mentioned above. To spot this scam, ask your prospective contractor exactly what his or her method involves. If the technician can’t explain the method or acts offended that you asked, choose a different company.

The ‘surface clean’ scam

Of all the carpet cleaning scams, this one requires you to be the most diligent. Even seemingly reputable companies try this trick occasionally, and sometimes they don’t do it on purpose. It all starts innocently enough; you contact a company, have them come and do an estimate, agree to a time and a uniformed employee comes to your door. You vacate the house and return when the carpet is dry only to find that your stains return within days, and none of the surfaces seem particularly clean. What happened?

There are two possibilities. First, your contractor may have faulty equipment, which didn’t push enough water in or suck enough out. It’s also possible the contractor made no real effort to clean your carpet, instead doing only a quick surface clean before packing up and moving on to the next job. To avoid this scam, do your research. Read reviews of local companies on trusted sites like Google, and ask your carpet cleaning pro for references. Call the numbers provided, and ask for an honest opinion.

What to look for in a pro

When hiring a professional carpet cleaning company, make sure to get a specific rate per room or per square foot, and ask about the preferred cleaning method. Ask if there’s an extra charge for moving heavy items like furniture; many companies will clean only open floor space, or demand a huge surcharge to move furniture. If licensing is required in your city or town, confirm the company is licensed before you make a hiring decision.

 

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