Green Certified or a Green Seal is the designation most carpet cleaners will have if they purchase and use a green cleaning solution for carpets or upholstery. There is one surefire way of determining whether or not these products are safe for kids and pets. The Food and Drug Administration has examined many of these types of products, both chemical and green, and labels them (Generally Recognized as Safe) G.R.A.S. Look for this designation on cleaning and other household products.

For effectiveness, the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) designation shows that a 3rd party tested this product’s cleaning ability. If a professional carpet cleaner is using a green product, this is a good sign it is effective.

This article will go beyond green certification and answer some commonly asked questions about the green carpet cleaning process.

Q. How effective are green carpet cleaning services at cleaning carpets with stains and pet odor?

A. I have seen some green carpet cleaning products outperform their chemical counterparts. Many green certified carpet cleaning solutions offer special stain removers and pet odor formulas. Consumers purchasing green carpet cleaning products should be cautious because it’s common for companies that make green products to focus on the organic quality of the solution, rather than effectiveness. The only way to truly determine a product’s cleaning effectiveness is to field test it or take the word of an expert (such as a carpet cleaning service) that has utilized the product in homes and businesses.

Q. Are carpet cleaning chemicals harmful to kids and/or pets? How do we know they don’t cause harm?

A. There is some debate that household cleaners and some carpet cleaning chemicals are harmful to the environment and even those living in the home. There are many different chemical carpet cleaning solutions. Some individuals are more sensitive than others to some chemical products. There are safe, effective chemically based products in the carpet cleaning business and have been for years. Some people just prefer to go green — and that’s their preference.

Q. What are the advantages of green carpet cleaning?

A. Green carpet cleaning doesn’t really cost that much more money. The consumer can feel good about not putting harmful chemicals into the home environment, and eventually – the bio- system. Cutting down on pollution is a main concern of many who use green products.

Q. Do people request green carpet cleaning solutions for a healthier approach to cleaning their home?

A. Some people are suffering from asthma, allergies and other lung disorders and are extra-sensitive. This group is mainly concerned about the inhalation toxicity of products that expel harmful pollutants and are breathed in from the atmosphere. Green products that are well made won’t include compounds believed to be toxic. No known carcinogens will be used in the solution, either. A low level of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) will be on the label in order to meet clean air requirements. This all adds up to a healthier choice for those affected by lung disorders.

There are a variety of reasons why consumers choose to use green carpet cleaning products in their residence. In a competitive economy, carpet cleaning companies need to keep a keen eye towards the wants and needs of their customers. Right now, eco-friendly carpet cleaning services are more popular than ever. Keeping green carpet cleaning solutions in use makes sense because using them provides the customer a sense of safety and well-being in their own home.

Some stains are very stubborn, such as red wine, ink, rust, blood and pet stains.  In any case, when possible get the spot up as soon as it happens.  This helps prevent the substance from saturating the fibers and possibly the padding underneath.  When removing old spots, here are some techniques that work really well:

1.  Red wine is one of those stubborn liquids that you think will not come up.  Try this little trick.  Cover with salt and let it sit for a while.  This will absorb the wine.  Then simply vacuum with a hose attachment.  If any stain remains, clean gently with a mixture of vinegar, detergent and water.

2.  Ink stains can be a problem, because inks contain different resins and oils.  Try hair spray on an absorbent cloth.  If this does not work, you may want to try rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover or tea tree oil.

3.  Blood stains can usually be removed with a paste of corn starch and water.  Apply to the stain, wait a few minutes and rinse with cold water.  Never use warm or hot water on blood stains, as this can set the stain in and make it nearly impossible to remove.

4.  Pet stains.  These are especially problematic, because of the odor that sometimes remains along with the spot.  To remove these, first remove any solid material.  Then, mix 1/2 teaspoon of mild detergent per pint of water and blot.  After this step, mix 1/2 teaspoon of ammonia per cup of water and blot.  Lastly, mix equal parts of vinegar and water, then blot and rinse.  This method usually removes the pet stain along with the odor.

Most stains can be removed if you use the right materials.  There are many commercial spot cleaners available in stores, but there is no evidence that they work any better than these cheap methods.  Some even contain ingredients that may be harmful to your health.  Try a few of these NJ carpet cleaning techniques, and you will see just how easy it is to keep your carpet looking fresh and new.

Everyone has different little “tricks” up their sleeve when it comes to carpet cleaning, but here are a few tips that work well:

1.  Before you use any type of spot treatment, vacuum the area well.  This will help you avoid grounding dirt on the surface down in to the carpet fibers.

2.  If possible, deal with spills as soon as they happen.  This helps prevent the substance from penetrating deeper into the carpet.  It will also help to avoid the liquid from seeping down in to the padding.

3.  For fresh stains, pour a little baking soda right on the stain.  Let it sit for a few minutes, then use a damp sponge to remove the baking soda.

4.  If the stain has been there for a prolonged period of time, try this little trick.  Combine two tablespoons of laundry detergent with three tablespoons of vinegar and one quart of warm water.  Work this mixture in to the stained area and blot dry with a clean cloth.  This can be repeated if necessary, and also works well on coffee stains.

After using any of the above methods, place a clean paper towel or cotton towel on the damp area, then set a heavy object on top of the towel.  This will absorb the moisture and help pull any remaining stain up in to the towel.

To keep your carpet in good condition, it is recommended to have it professionally cleaned at least once a year.  This helps your carpet maintain the new look longer.  If your carpet is heavily soiled, it may be better to let a professional handle the job. Consider getting two or three bids, and find out if they move furniture or if you need to take care of it.

Everyone has accidents happen.  When something gets spilled on your carpet, try your best to get it up as soon as it happens.  Use the tips above for cleaning your carpet – they are super affordable and effective! If you are in need of a New Jersey Carpet Cleaning company, consider AllClean. They provide excellent service, quality cleaning and fast results.

Store bought carpet cleaners can actually lock in stains.  As you clean, you believe the spot or stain is gone.  Once dry, you see that it remains.  No matter how hard you scrub, you can’t remove the ugly spots that mar your carpets appearance.

Pet stains, wine and other substances can be particularly hard to remove if the correct method isn’t used for removal.  Most stains of these types can not be thoroughly removed using a store bought product.  In many cases, stains like grape juice and red wine can actually spread – what an ugly mess!

All Clean provides the best service and highest quality carpet cleaning you will find in New Jersey.  We know how to take precautions to prevent stains in the first place, and how to completely remove existing spots or stains.

Many times, spills absorb completely down into the backing of the carpet, which causes it to spread.  We use products that contain less moisture, which means stains will be completely removed and will not spread to create a larger stain.

By using products that completely remove cleaning solution residue and using the correct spotter for the existing stains, we can restore your carpets appearance to like new.  Carpet protectors will help to prevent future stains, and preserve the appearance of your newly cleaned carpet.

At All Clean, we know our business.  Acid-side rinses, low moisture cleaners and powdered poultices are just a few of the things we use to make your carpet look the way you want it to look – clean and fresh.  We also take steps to speed drying time, which is important when removing stains and preventing backing from becoming wet.

There are many New Jersey companies that offer all types of cleaning services, but when it comes to your carpet, choose a company that specializes in this area and has the expertise to restore your carpets appearance.  At All Clean, we know carpet cleaning – it’s what we do best!

Have you ever cleaned a clients carpet, only to find that days later it looks as if you never touched it?  There are many reasons for this, but usually it is recurring spots that are the culprits.  As you clean, they seem to disappear – only to return once the carpet has dried.

You don’t want to lose clients because of problems like this.  There are a few things you should explain to customers so that you don’t risk losing them.  Even if they don’t agree with you, at least you have explained the situation, and what will help.

Fabric protectors are recommended to protect carpet from future stains caused by spills.  This will insure that the fibers won’t absorb substances, which means there should be no stains left behind.  Many times, your customers will attempt cleaning their carpet themselves, which can lead to stains that are tougher to remove.

Using the right spotters is essential, but make sure you leave no residue behind.  An acid-side rinse will remove more residue.  You know that some stains are harder to remove than others – pet urine, wine, grape juice and other substances that are red or dark in color require special treatment.  Use the right carpet cleaning products, and you will have very happy customers!

Many times, spots spread when they reach the backing of the carpet.  Using a low-moisture cleaner is something you should consider to keep spots at bay, and also helps keep the backing dry.  You may also want to use a fan to help the spot dry before it “wicks” back up to the surface.

If you are certain a spot will return, here are some ideas to consider.

Try encapsulation rinses, or precondition with an encapsulant to increase the polymer load on the carpet fiber surfaces.  This leaves crystallized polymers behind that “collect” the grime that can make spots reappear.

You may also want to try anti-soiling treatments and powdered poultices.  White towels work well when folded several times and placed on the cleaned spot, then weighted down until dry.

Use common sense when cleaning carpet.  Don’t use too much moisture on the spots, and make use of fans or other air movers that will allow for faster drying.