How to Seal Travertine Floor Tiles, Orange County, ca

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Travertine is a porous natural stone, filled with multiple holes of all sizes. When travertine was formed, deep inside hot springs, the escaping vapors left behind holes in the stone. These holes will be filled either with epoxy at the factory, or with grout in your home. After filling the stone, it’s a good idea to seal it to help preserve its beauty.Seal travertine during or after installation as well as a few times a year whenever it begins to show signs of absorbing moisture.

Preparation

  • Before sealing your travertine, it must be thoroughly cleaned. Wax or polyurethane coatings must be stripped off. After removing these coatings, if any, the tiles should be cleaned with a neutral cleaner — one that is free of bleach and alkalies. If your travertine is badly soiled, or if you are refurbishing old travertine, an alkaline stone-cleaner can be used to deep-clean grease or dirt buildup. For necessary deep cleaning, consult a professional.

    When your travertine is completely clean, dry it thoroughly with an absorbent cloth. Let the area dry one to two hours

Choosing and Using a Sealer

  • According to Marblelife.com, there are two basic choices to make when considering a sealer: Do you want a solvent-borne or water-borne sealer and do you want a topical or penetrating sealer?

    Solvent-borne sealers are easier to apply than water-borne, using a wipe-on/wipe-off method. Water-borne sealers may be more durable, but you must take extra care in removing excess sealer or it may create a dull haze on the top of the travertine that requires the skills of a professional craftsperson to remove.

    A topical sealer sits on top of the travertine and adds a visible shine or change to the stones’ appearance. A topical sealer may help make mismatched or permanently stained tiles look more uniform. If you like the natural look of your unsealed stone, use a penetrating sealer. A penetrating sealer adds the protection of a sealer without changing the surface look of the stone.

    Consult your dealer when purchasing the travertine to learn which sealer is best for your stone and application.

    Apply the sealer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This typically entails using a lamb’s wool applicater and mopping the sealer on in thin, even coats and then allowing time for drying before the travertine is walked on or used.

 

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First Step to Polishing is Cleaning the Stone Floor, Orange County, CA

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First Step to Polishing is Cleaning the Stone Floor

Proper stone polishing can not be done with dirty floors as the dirt and debris will interfere

with the polishing steps and can actual prohibit progress and or add scratches to the floor.

Our Steps To Stone Cleaning

  1. Vacuum floors to remove debris
  2. Protect corners and baseboards
  3. Apply stone safe cleaning agent
  4. Hand scrub grout (very important )
  5. Machine scrub stone and grout
  6. High heat,  Steam Clean Tile
  7. Dry stone floor
  8. Apply Impregnator sealer ( after polishing )

 Procedures For Stone Polishing

  1. Finish all Cleaning steps
  2. Protect appliances
  3. Protect cabinets and baseboard as needed
  4. Light Scratch removal by honing/grinding
  5. Fill any holes in stone or travertine
  6. Polish to desired Levels
  7. No shine, Medium shine, High shine
  8. Apply appropriate stone sealer
  9. put back furniture

Types Of Stone Sealer – 

  1.  Impregnator sealer
  • Hydrophobic (repels water based items)
  • Oliophobic  ( repels  water and oil liquids )
  1.  High shine sealer ( topical)
  2.  Enhacer sealer ( combination of impregnator and light topical)

There are 2 basic types of sealer that is used on stone.There is topical and Impregnator sealer.Out of these 2 the  most popular and best sealer for most stone is the Impregnator sealer.This sealer does not change the finish of the stone, does not make it shinier or change the color of the stone in anyway.The sealer works by absorbing into the stone ( impregnate) and cause the stone to repel .The second is the topical sealer. A topical sealer is one that stays on top. These are sealers that do typically change the finish, such as makes it shinier, enhance or the like. Most of the time , the topical sealers create more work in the future with maintenance as the sealers start to wear out or flake. The only stones that usually have these top sealers inside are Slate floors and pavers . Many homeowners make the mistake of wanting to add shine by sealer as apposed to the correct way which is stone polishing . Topical sealers will fade, flake and wear off. The biggest problem then is to remove the shiny sealer.It needs to be stripped which is not an easy or fun task for a homeowner or professional. Many times the topical sealers are put on over dirty tile and grout and thereby sealing it under the sealer where it now will stay until it is completely removed and cleaned professionally. Enhancer sealers will usually darken or enhance the stone. they are used mostly on slate stone , Travertine, terrazzo stones.

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Affordable Carpet Cleaning in Orange County, CA

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Pacific Carpet Cleaning has been saving Orange County & Los Angeles Homeowners and Renters $$$ on professional carpet cleaning Since 1987. We are dedicated to providing high quality affordable carpet cleaning at a low price by eliminating unnecessary costs associated with professional carpet cleaning.Much of the cost associated with professional carpet cleaning are the basic things that must be done before the actual carpet cleaning can begin. For example: Pre-Vacuuming & Furniture Moving.Just these two items can be very time consuming for the carpet cleaning technician and the actual price for carpet cleaning will reflect the extra work that is involved. Not only do you save money by doing this extra work yourself, but the actual time it takes to do the carpet cleaning job has been drastically reduced.That is how we can pass the savings on to the consumer. There is no secret to low price carpet cleaning(Time=Money).Our powerful truck mounted carpet steam cleaning machines provide the extra deep cleaning power neccesary to remove ground in soil and extract difficult spots and stains from your carpet fibers while reviving carpet color and softness.Here’s your chance to clean up those reappearing spots, pet stains, odors and dust mites that have been hiding in your carpet for way too long!You can save money on professional carpet cleaning by picking up the phone and calling us right now at (949) 545-5205 or you can request a free estimate.

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Stripping (removing) Floor Finish From VCT Floors in Orange County, ca

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This video shows step by step, how to strip or remove from finish from VCT floors. Removing floor finish is without a doubt the most difficult task in floor care. This video shows the following procedures:1. Mixing the floor finish stripper and neutralizer2. Needed equipment, chemicals and tools3. Floor finish stripper application4. How to use floor stripper neutralizer and to to properly neutralize the floor stripping solution from a floor5. Proper floor rinsingTo strip the floor finish from our sample floor, we used Ultra Stripper and to neutralize the stripping solution, we used Ultra Neutralizer. For the following advantage:Ultra Stripper:Fast acting, requires no dwell time Effective, removes most of the floor finish in one pass Environmentally friendly, is green certified by EcoLogo and ULE Safe to use, effective with low pH and low odor For more information contact:

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Commercial Carpet Cleaning: Bonnet vs. Truck-Mounted Extraction, Orange County, CA

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There are many methods of carpet cleaning. Two of the most common are bonnet cleaning and truck-mounted extraction.

Bonnet or spin cleaning involves a rotary floor machine with a cleaning pad soaked in solution. As it moves over the carpet, the agitation causes dirt to be absorbed into the cleaning pad. The cleaning solution used with bonnet machines uses optical brighteners such as bleach which polish the cut fibers of the carpet, making the carpet appear brighter and cleaner. Unfortunately, though bonnet cleaners are able to remove some surface dirt, they also end up pushing a lot of dirt and cleaning solution further down into the carpet pile. This residue can then become a magnet for even more dirt.

The most effective type of bonnet cleaning for dirt removal is liquid encapsulation. This method involves pre-spraying the carpet, bonneting over it and then vacuuming up the resulting (dirt-encapsulated) foam that rises to the surface. Many people like bonnet cleaning because it is fairly inexpensive and easy to do. However, though it can be useful for spot cleaning, this method is not usually recommended as a means of long-term carpet care because it is not the most effective at removing dirt.

Major Pros:
  • Quick – Equipment is easy to maneuver and carpet dries quickly.
  • Inexpensive – Equipment costs are low and doesn’t require highly-skilled labor to operate.

Major Cons:

  • Increased Chemical Load – Bonnet cleaning adds chemicals to a carpet.
  • Wear from Agitation – Over time the scrubbing pad can cause the carpet to fray and its seams to separate.
  • Shorter Carpet Life –  The lifespan of a carpet that is exclusively bonnet cleaned is generally half that of a carpet that is cleaned using truck-mount.

Best Uses of Bonnet Cleaning:

  • For spot cleaning and/or to maintain the look of a carpet (weekly or monthly) in between extraction cleanings.
  • For extremely high-traffic areas where there is not enough time to use a truck mount (e.g. a busy hotel lobby). In these cases the convenience of bonnet-cleaning can outweigh the cost of having to replace a carpet sooner.
  • For carpets that have a history of being exclusively bonnet cleaned. Switching to truck-mounted extraction after prolonged bonnet cleaning may cause staining because of the large amount of impacted dirt that will be lifted up.
Truck-mounted extraction (a type of deep or hot water extraction) is generally, a much preferred method of carpet care. As its name suggests, it uses a hose that is mounted on a truck and shoots a mixture of hot water and cleaning solution into your carpet. The pressure and temperature of the water agitates the carpet and loosens dirt which is then vacuumed back up by the hose.

This method of carpet cleaning is highly effective in removing dirt and requires very little cleaning solution which can prolong the life of your carpet. The key to this process is combining the right amount of chemical, water temperature, water pressure and suction. Each of these elements needs to be perfectly calibrated to achieve the best results.

Extraction can be done with a variety of different machines such as a portable tank-type extractor. The problem with this type of machine is that it cannot reach high enough temperatures or adequate vacuum or water pressure to clean as well as a truck-mount.The importance of proper chemical mixture should not be overlooked. It doesn’t matter if you use the best and most advanced machines in the industry if your chemicals are not mixed properly. The goal with chemical mixing is to remove dirt while neutralizing the carpet’s PH. This is accomplished with an alkaline mix pre-spray and acid rinse.
Major Pros:
  • Extends carpet life.
  • Very effective method of removing dirt from carpet pile.
  • Labor saving.

Major Cons:

  • Operating costs are higher. Equipment is expensive to buy and maintain and requires skilled labor to operate.
  • If the truck is not setup right, it can add too much water to the carpet which can cause molding, mildew or other problems.
  • If extraction is performed too often, it can reduce the carpet life because the water will start to separate the carpet from its backing.

Recommended Carpet Maintenance Procedures:

  • First and foremost, it is essential to identify your carpet’s care history. If your carpet has a history of bonnet cleaning without truck-mounted extraction, then it is probably best to stick with bonnet cleaning. Though using a truck-mounted extractor will remove a large amount of dirt, it is also likely to leave unsightly stains. The years of pushing the dirt down will be revealed by extraction. Stick with the bonnet.
  • If you bonnet monthly to maintain the look of your carpet, extraction should be done quarterly or semi-annually depending on use.
  • With proper maintenance the life of a good carpet should be about 8 to 10 years. If the carpet is exclusively bonnet cleaned, you can expect this time to be cut in half.
Troubleshooting
If your carpets were recently cleaned and look dirty soon after, possible causes are:
  • Water pressure was too low or too high during cleaning.
  • Chemical solutions were not mixed properly.
  • Suction was not adequate.
  • There was poor technique or handling of machinery (e.g. cleaning too fast).

We hope this post provides you with some helpful carpet care tips. If you have further questions regarding the proper care of carpets in your facility.

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Commercial Carpet Cleaning: Bonnet vs. Truck-Mounted Extraction, Orange County, CA

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There are many methods of carpet cleaning. Two of the most common are bonnet cleaning and truck-mounted extraction.

Bonnet or spin cleaning involves a rotary floor machine with a cleaning pad soaked in solution. As it moves over the carpet, the agitation causes dirt to be absorbed into the cleaning pad. The cleaning solution used with bonnet machines uses optical brighteners such as bleach which polish the cut fibers of the carpet, making the carpet appear brighter and cleaner. Unfortunately, though bonnet cleaners are able to remove some surface dirt, they also end up pushing a lot of dirt and cleaning solution further down into the carpet pile. This residue can then become a magnet for even more dirt.

The most effective type of bonnet cleaning for dirt removal is liquid encapsulation. This method involves pre-spraying the carpet, bonneting over it and then vacuuming up the resulting (dirt-encapsulated) foam that rises to the surface. Many people like bonnet cleaning because it is fairly inexpensive and easy to do. However, though it can be useful for spot cleaning, this method is not usually recommended as a means of long-term carpet care because it is not the most effective at removing dirt.

Major Pros:
  • Quick – Equipment is easy to maneuver and carpet dries quickly.
  • Inexpensive – Equipment costs are low and doesn’t require highly-skilled labor to operate.

Major Cons:

  • Increased Chemical Load – Bonnet cleaning adds chemicals to a carpet.
  • Wear from Agitation – Over time the scrubbing pad can cause the carpet to fray and its seams to separate.
  • Shorter Carpet Life –  The lifespan of a carpet that is exclusively bonnet cleaned is generally half that of a carpet that is cleaned using truck-mount.

Best Uses of Bonnet Cleaning:

  • For spot cleaning and/or to maintain the look of a carpet (weekly or monthly) in between extraction cleanings.
  • For extremely high-traffic areas where there is not enough time to use a truck mount (e.g. a busy hotel lobby). In these cases the convenience of bonnet-cleaning can outweigh the cost of having to replace a carpet sooner.
  • For carpets that have a history of being exclusively bonnet cleaned. Switching to truck-mounted extraction after prolonged bonnet cleaning may cause staining because of the large amount of impacted dirt that will be lifted up.
Truck-mounted extraction (a type of deep or hot water extraction) is generally, a much preferred method of carpet care. As its name suggests, it uses a hose that is mounted on a truck and shoots a mixture of hot water and cleaning solution into your carpet. The pressure and temperature of the water agitates the carpet and loosens dirt which is then vacuumed back up by the hose.

This method of carpet cleaning is highly effective in removing dirt and requires very little cleaning solution which can prolong the life of your carpet. The key to this process is combining the right amount of chemical, water temperature, water pressure and suction. Each of these elements needs to be perfectly calibrated to achieve the best results.

Extraction can be done with a variety of different machines such as a portable tank-type extractor. The problem with this type of machine is that it cannot reach high enough temperatures or adequate vacuum or water pressure to clean as well as a truck-mount.The importance of proper chemical mixture should not be overlooked. It doesn’t matter if you use the best and most advanced machines in the industry if your chemicals are not mixed properly. The goal with chemical mixing is to remove dirt while neutralizing the carpet’s PH. This is accomplished with an alkaline mix pre-spray and acid rinse.
Major Pros:
  • Extends carpet life.
  • Very effective method of removing dirt from carpet pile.
  • Labor saving.

Major Cons:

  • Operating costs are higher. Equipment is expensive to buy and maintain and requires skilled labor to operate.
  • If the truck is not setup right, it can add too much water to the carpet which can cause molding, mildew or other problems.
  • If extraction is performed too often, it can reduce the carpet life because the water will start to separate the carpet from its backing.

Recommended Carpet Maintenance Procedures:

  • First and foremost, it is essential to identify your carpet’s care history. If your carpet has a history of bonnet cleaning without truck-mounted extraction, then it is probably best to stick with bonnet cleaning. Though using a truck-mounted extractor will remove a large amount of dirt, it is also likely to leave unsightly stains. The years of pushing the dirt down will be revealed by extraction. Stick with the bonnet.
  • If you bonnet monthly to maintain the look of your carpet, extraction should be done quarterly or semi-annually depending on use.
  • With proper maintenance the life of a good carpet should be about 8 to 10 years. If the carpet is exclusively bonnet cleaned, you can expect this time to be cut in half.
Troubleshooting
If your carpets were recently cleaned and look dirty soon after, possible causes are:
  • Water pressure was too low or too high during cleaning.
  • Chemical solutions were not mixed properly.
  • Suction was not adequate.
  • There was poor technique or handling of machinery (e.g. cleaning too fast).

We hope this post provides you with some helpful carpet care tips. If you have further questions regarding the proper care of carpets in your facility.

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Slate Tile Floor Cleaning in Orange County, CA

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Refinished Shine and Clean Floors – Pacific Carpet & Tile Cleaning of Orange County ensures the beautiful appearance and cleanlines of all your floors with our top quality floor cleaning and waxing techniques. Are you struggling with a stubborn stain? We can help. Our technicians are well trained and can expertly remove all stains on all types of floors. Since stains set in quickly, the sooner you call us the better result you receive.

Floor Protection – With proper floor cleaning and waxing, your floors can maintain their shine longer, show less damage from everyday wear and tear and also make your living spaces safe for everyone in your home or office. Pacific knows that regular floor cleaning and maintenance can keep your floor surfaces looking beautiful. We can refinish, cleaning floors such as Saltillo, Travertine, Hardwood and Marble tile, slate tile, Terrazzo floors and floor Restoration. It also increases the longevity of your floor which saves you money and time in the future. We offer floor cleaning and restoration services for all floor and stone tile surfaces including:

  • Cleaning Hardwood Flooring
  • Cleaning Saltillo Tile Floors
  • Tile & Grout Floor Cleaning
  • Cleaning Marble Tile Floors
  • Cleaning Terrazzo Tile Floors
  • Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors
  • Cleaning Porcelain Tile Floors
  • Cleaning Vinyl Tile Floors
  • Granite Tile Floor Cleaning
  • Limestone Tile Floor Cleaning
  • Flagstone Tile Floor Cleaning
  • Travertine Tile Floor Cleaning
  • Slate Tile Floor Cleaning
  • Refinishing, Resurfacing, Restoring, Polishing All Types of Tiles, Grout, Flooring and much more…

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Tile and grout cleaning in Orange County, CA

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Cleaning of your tile, stone and grout is best done by professionals using a steam vapor cleaning system and professional grade cleaners.

 

Hiring the experts at Pacific to do the work is better than hiring a janitor or house cleaner to come to your home as we have the experience and equipment to give you a true deep cleaning.

 

Tile Cleaning Process

Step 1 Cleaner applied

A tile degreasing agent is applied to the surface. This cleaner helps loosen soiling, chemical residues and other impurities from the surface.

 

Step 2 Steam Vapor

We use our steam vapor cleaners to go over the tile and grout joints to lift the dirt out of the grout and sterilize it.

 

Step 3 Spot Cleaning

After the steam process, a spot cleaner is used (if needed) to extract any difficult stains that may not have been removed during the initial cleaning process. If tile and grout has not been maintained or sealed properly, the stains may be permanent and unable to be removed. If this is the case, then regrouting or colorsealing is an option to restore the grout back to its original look.

 

Step 4 Grout sealer

After the cleaning process is performed, all the surface contaminants will have been removed and the surface is ready for the application of a stone or grout sealer.

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Cleaning Ceramic Tile Floors, Orange County, ca

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How to clean ceramic tile

I love my ceramic tile floors, they just look great and are quite durable, but it is really a pain to clean them, in this guide I try to explain how to clean ceramic tile floors to have the best results, if you are trying to clean them you can damage them, or do you have a hard time cleaning the dirt in-between tiles? The first thing is that you must not leave your tile floors without sweeping for a long stretch of time, doing this can make dirt removal quite hard because the dirt will adhere to the surface and the longest the floor goes without cleaning the hardest it will be to remove it, if you can’t sweep them everyday due to time constraints, try to do it at least on the weekends. Of course you can always safe time and effort by cleaning the floors using a vacuum cleaner, but don’t beat your floors too hard to avoid scratching them. One of the methods to keep your ceramic tile floors in a good shape, is to prevent them from wearing off by keeping dirt off them, try to use a doormat, if someone with dirt on theirs shoe sole brings a lot of dirt into your beautiful tile floors they could get scratched and damage the finished surface, so its a good idea to ask your guest to shake off the dirt before entering the house. Mop your ceramic floor tiles regularly the mop must be just a bit damp, not excessively and use the ceramic tile cleaners of your choice. If you have a more serious job to do though there are several products you could use to clean your ceramic tile floors more effectively, especially for cleaning the grout which is the substance used between each tile, very often have I seen perfectly clean tile floors but with the grout in between each tile literally black, so take this into consideration, you can use a variety of cleaning products to help you out on this, grout is especially delicate and way less durable than the tiles themselves so try to take care of it, you don’t want the tiles falling off the floor surface. For example i’ve found that some cleaning products can be abrasive, and damage the grout, the best thing is to just use water, but if the situation is really bad and you need to use a special tile cleaning product you should make sure it won’t cause any damage to your floors or grout.  Cleaning ceramic tile floors is really simple and you should keep them in good shape by weeping and mopping regularly, because many products are not very easy on your tile floor and even if they can help remove dirt, they also damage the tiles or grout, so don’t get yourself in the situation of needing to use abrasive products but if you must proceed with care. If the tile and grout are to dirty clean by hand, call a professional. They have the equipment and experience to bring them back to life. I hope you have enjoyed my cleaning ceramic tile floor tips useful.

 

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How to Select A Carpet Cleaning Professional in Costa Mesa, CA

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Hire a carpet cleaning professional

If you find that no matter how much you vacuum, your carpet still does not look like it used to, it may be time for deep cleaning. While there are do-it-yourself cleaning methods on the marketing, hiring a professional is the safest, fastest and easiest options. Cleaning professionals who utilized CRI-certified carpet cleaning products as part of their cleaning process are recognized as Seal of Approval service providers. Using Seal of Approval service providers is an easy way to make sure that your carpets are being professionally cleaned with quality products that will help maintain your carpet’s life and beauty.

To keep your carpet at peak performance, CRI recommends professionally deep cleaning your carpet every 12 to 18 months. (Be sure to check your carpet warranty for particular requirements.) In addition Seal of Approval service providers, you can also find a professional cleaning company in your area at the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certifications (IICRC)

When looking for a cleaning professional, take these cautions to heart:

  • Be careful of any company that contacts you by phone or that advertises a cleaning price by the room.  Room sizes vary and charges should be based on the total area cleaned.
  • The use of brand name cleaning products does not necessarily suggest an affiliation with those companies or added credibility for the cleaning service. Make sure that you select a cleaning professional with certification from an organization that certifies professionals.

Ask Good Questions

Do not be afraid to ask questions! Here are a few questions to keep in mind:

  • “How long have you been in business?” The answer can speak volumes about a company’s reputation and experience.
  • “What formal training is required for the company’s management and cleaning technicians?” A reputable company should require that employees receive training certifications.
  • “Do you vacuum before deep cleaning the carpet?” All professional cleaners should vacuum before they deep clean the carpet. This critical first step makes a huge difference in the end result.
  • “Do you use Seal of Approval cleaning solutions and equipment?” Seal of Approval products have been independently tested and certified to effectively clean carpet without causing any damage.

Get an in-home inspection and estimate

Never go strictly by television advertisements or newspaper inserts or jump at the lowest bid.  And don’t accept quotes over the phone.  Have the cleaning representative come to your home for an inspection to determine the type of cleaning method that is most suitable, as well as to inspect your carpet for problem spots or extremely soiled areas.  Obtain a written agreement before any work is done.  Usually they will not charge for furniture removal, routine spot removal or preconditioning.  Make sure you are not charged for any extras. Get a written contract with the total price and statements of guarantees that the cleaning company offers.

Get your money’s worth

The following tips will help you get the best results from hiring a professional carpet cleaning service provider:

  • Show the cleaning professional any problem areas and spots or pet stains that need special attention.
  • To prevent voiding warranties, contact the carpet manufacturer before allowing additional treatment, such as re-applying stain treatments or antistatic treatments.
  • Wait for the carpet to dry completely before walking on the carpet or moving the furniture back into the room. If you replace the furniture too quickly, rust or stains from paint or finishes could mar the carpet permanently.

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