'stain removal' Archives

Getting rid of chewing gum from upholstery and carpets

depositphotos_42423561_origina Finding a sticky piece of chewing gum stuck fast on a rug, carpet, armchair or sofa can be irritating, to say the least. Luckily, there is a way to deal with the problem.

Try the simple steps below – and if that doesn’t work, or your fabrics or carpets are too delicate or valuable to take the risk, it’s time to call in a professional cleaning company.

To start with, try to remove as much of the gum as possible. You can use a blunt knife edge to scrape it off gently and without pulling or otherwise damaging the fabric.
An old trick to help the gum come off more easily is to freeze it. If the item is too big to simply pop into the freezer, place a thick plastic bag filled with ice cubes onto the affected area until the gum has hardened. Make sure the plastic bag is not too thin, otherwise is might stick to the gummy area and make the problem worse!
When all the chewing gum has gone, you’ll be left with a stain that should be easy to deal with.
Dab or sponge the stain with a paper towel or clean cloth dipped in a dry cleaning solution, or alternatively use a special chewing gum remover that is safe to use on your fabric or carpet. It’s always wise to check on an inconspicuous area first, just in case the colour runs or the fabric reacts strangely.
Next, gently blot the stain so that the solvent is absorbed, and repeat the process until the stain has completely gone.
If you are unsuccessful at shifting the stain, you can try using a solution of warm water, a tablespoon of washing up liquid and a tablespoon of white vinegar. Sponge the stain with the solution, then blot until it has disappeared. Be careful not to get the area too wet, and repeat the process until your upholstery or carpets are completely stain free.
Finally, remove any soapy residue with cold, clean water and a fresh sponge or cloth, then blot dry.

If you need specialist advice for any problems with rugs, carpets or upholstered furniture, Apple Clean can help. As carpet cleaning an upholstery cleaning experts we offer extensive stain removal services for all types of home interiors. Why not give us a call on 0800 5874571?

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Smelly cat? Pongy pooch? Treat pet odours the natural way

barber sprays fox terrier Having a cat or a dog can be a wonderful companion for you and your family – but they do come with their own little quirks. Whether it is territory marking, carpet accidents or that unmistakable Eau de Wet Dog, pet stains and pet odours are never welcome. Luckily, it’s quick and easy to make some really effective odour neutralisers at home.

Vinegar

Vinegar is a wonderful go-to household remedy for many uses. Use it full strength, or in a 50:50 mixture with water to tackle any pet odour in your home, including pet urine. Don’t worry about the pungent smell of the vinegar to start with – it will fade, and take the nasty odour with it. Test a small inconspicuous section of carpet first to check for colour fastness, then spray the vinegar/water solution straight onto the smelly area. Or how about adding a cup of vinegar to your regular wash to remove cat or dog smells from clothing? Marvellous stuff, vinegar!

Baking Soda

Another traditional household staple, baking soda – also known as Bicarbonate of Soda or Sodium Bicarbonate or Bicarb or NaHCO3 – gets rid of pet odours safely and quickly. In the manner of the old ‘shake and vac’ advert, use it to sprinkle directly onto carpets and upholstery, leave it for a while and then hoover it up to leave everything smelling fresh again. You can also deodorise your pet by shaking baking soda directly onto him, rub in and brush out. Finally, add baking soda to your washing machine to remove pet odours from clothes

Vinegar/detergent mix

For a double-whammy attack on stronger body odours and particular pet pongs, add 1 tablespoon of dishwasher liquid to 2 1/2 litres of vinegar and pour the solution directly onto your pet. Rub vigorously into the skin and shampoo well – it’s probably best to do this in the bath!. While the vinegar will remove the offending smell, the detergent will help to wash it all out, getting your pooch to smell nice and fresh again.

Borax/vinegar/salt mix

Mix equal parts of vinegar, borax and salt to make a paste and really tackle those horrible carpet stains and smells – especially useful while puppy training or for ailing cats. Rub the mixture well into the pile and leave to try before vacuuming off – and the problem is gone! It goes without saying that you should always test on a hidden area beforehand, just to be on the safe side.

Wine stains? First aid for spilled wine

red-wine-505296_1280 Wine stains – we’ve all been there. A glass of wine carelessly knocked over in the middle of an animated conversation, an open bottle getting in the way of an elbow and over it goes…. contents are spilled onto tablecloths, sofa fabrics or fitted carpets. Disaster?

Red wine stains in particular can be hard to shift. As with most things, speed is of the essence to contain any damage. There are many ways to tackle wine stains quickly – table salt, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide have all been shown to be beneficial for stain removal.

We recommend that you follow these top tips in the first instance, then contact a professional cleaning company for advice and to remove any leftover stains.

Blot up as much of the spilled liquid as you can as quickly as you can. Don’t rub from side to side, but blot in an up and down motion to minimise the damage. Work from the outside in to prevent the stain from spreading.
For upholstery, mix a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid with a pint of cool water and sponge the stain with a clean white cloth, then blot until dry. Repeat the process until the stain has gone, then sponge with cold water and blot dry.
For carpets, mix a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid into a pint of warm water and add a tablespoon of white vinegar. Apply a little at a time with a clean sponge, and blot frequently so that the area doesn’t get too wet. Repeat until the stain is gone, then sponge with cold water and blot dry.

It’s important to consider the material you are treating so as not to cause more damage. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for advice and make sure you consult a carpet cleaning or upholstery cleaning professional – it’ll be worth it in the long run.

4 Essential Steps to Cleaning Leather Upholstery

There are specific methods of care that are required when cleaning leather, which remains a popular material in many contemporary households. If you use the right products and carry out regular maintenance, you can rest assured that your sofa will remain in the best possible condition for the long term. Here are the essential steps you must follow to make your leather upholstery cleaning job as efficient as possible…

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Dust the Sofa

Use a vacuum to get rid of any dust or dirt that has got trapped in the sofa and remove any larger debris, before wiping with a soft and clean cloth.

This ensures dust and dirt is not pressed into the leather, creating a difficult-to-remove stain. Vacuums can potentially scratch the leather if you aren’t careful, so be wary of this when using the plastic cleaning attachments.

Identify the Spots that Require the Most Attention

Cleaning leather appropriately comes down to a less-is-more initiative. You should only be cleaning leather where necessary, leaving the cleaner spots well alone. Concentrate on the grimy spots and wipe down relatively clean areas with a cloth. A wet cloth is not necessary here.

Look for Mildew

If you come across any mildew, build your own spraying solution of water and vinegar. Use as little liquid as possible and wipe away to keep it from soaking into the leather. Any mildew that is present should be killed off by the vinegar, which acts as a mild disinfectant.

Call in the Experts

Apple Clean know exactly how to deal with leather that has been heavily soiled or affected by stains and dirt. We use state-of-the-art cleaning equipment to leave leather looking good as new once we’ve finished. If you think this is what your leather requires, don’t attempt to clean it yourself and get in touch with us today.

Bonfire Night – Cleaning Mud from Carpets

Bonfire night is a time for friends and family to celebrate the quelling of the notorious gunpowder plot and many of us will enjoy some spectacular fireworks. Of course, most of this means preparation work outdoors and we can always expect the chance of wetter conditions on any November night. With this comes the risk of bringing mud into the home, so here’s what you need to do to get muddy footprints cleaned out of your carpet.

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Forget everything you thought you knew about stain removal for this one as you’ll want the mud to dry before attempting to remove it. With other spillages you’ll want to have them removed before they soak in to the fibres. Cleaning wet mud will only make the carpet dirtier, so by allowing the mud to dry you are preventing the stain from getting any larger.

You can speed up the drying process by putting a portable fan over the muddy area. Once the drying process is complete, remove the mud with a vacuum cleaner using the hose attachment. Don’t rush this because then you’ll know you’ve picked up as much dirt as possible.

Even after vacuuming there’s a chance that some of the fibres will still have bits of dirt stuck to them. You’ll need to scrape away as much as you can using a spoon or dust pan and brush. Do your best not to cause any lasting damage to the carpet. Continue scraping until all the dirt has been removed.

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