How To Properly Clean Carpets Using A Portable Carpet Extractor

How To Properly Clean Carpets Using A Portable Carpet Extractor by Lee Harris

When cleaning carpets many people try to save money by renting a portable carpet extractor to clean their carpets. Cleaning your own carpets can be easy but there are a few guidelines that you should follow. Portable rental carpet extractors can be rented at most hardware and grocery stores. These small carpet extractors are great for small areas but are low powered and often times well used. When renting a portable carpet extractor it is advisable to check with you local cleaning and janitorial supplies store. Carpet extractors rented from janitorial distributors are usually in better condition and provide more suction. These professional types of portable carpet extractors can usually be rented for a little more than the cost of renting one from a local hardware or grocery store. Also by going to a professional cleaning supplies distributor you are likely to find better carpet cleaning products than at your local grocery store.

When you go to rent your carpet extractor make sure you have the janitorial supplies distributor go through the workings of the machine thoroughly. Janitorial distributors sell professional and industrial carpet cleaning supplies everyday and are well versed in recommending the right carpet cleaning products for your individual needs. Always ask if there are other attachments that can be rented for the carpet extractor so that you can clean your furniture and drapes at the same time. If you’re going to rent a carpet extractor for a 24 hour period is advisable to get as much use out of it as possible.

After you have purchased all your carpet cleaning chemicals and have rented your carpet extractor it’s time to start cleaning your carpets. First try to move as much furniture out of the room as possible to have a clear path for extractor. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly to remove as mush large debris as possible before using the carpet extractor. If you have extra dirty traffic lane stains it is recommended that you spray these areas with professional traffic lane cleaner and follow the manufacturers’ recommendations for use. It is usually easier to spray traffic lane cleaner onto the dirty areas with a common garden pump up sprayer. Make sure to clean the garden pump sprayer before use to remove any residual chemicals from gardening.

After the traffic lane cleaner has had time work you can beginning extracting the carpets. When mixing your extraction solution for the carpet extractor, make sure to follow the manufacturers’ recommendations. Mix the precise amount of water with the extraction solution and try to get the water as hot as possible. When you extract and clean carpets hot water will get your carpets cleaner than using cold water. When you are using a carpet extractor make sure to make a cross hatch pattern with your cleaning lanes. First do the entire room in strips going one way the extract over the strips at a 90 degree angle going the other way. After you have extracted the entire room it’s time to perform a thorough rinse of your carpets. When rinsing the carpet extract the room with cold water to remove any detergents and extraction solution. If you do not rinse your carpets thoroughly your carpet can act like a dirt magnet after it dries. At the end of your rinse cycle the dirty water coming out of the extractor should be a lot clearer than when you started.

After you have extracted your carpets use a dehumidifier and carpet fan if possible, to speed up the drying of the floor. Damp and slowly drying carpets can cause mold and bacteria to grow in the carpet padding. Carpet fans sometimes known as carpet air movers dry the floor quickly by blowing large amounts of air over the carpets surface. The dehumidifier will take the water out of the air as the carpet dries and make your living conditions a little less humid. After your carpets have dried use a vacuum cleaner to remove any hair and lint brought to the surface of the carpet due to the carpet extraction process. Before returning the carpet extractor back to the rental store make sure it is clean and in the same condition you checked it out in to avoid any extra fees for cleaning the unit.

Great cleaning tips and cleaning information by Lee Harris can be found at http://www.monsterjanitorial.com. Lee Harris is an expert in the cleaning industry and can answer all your questions about cleaning supplies and how to save money on these types of products.

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Tags: cleaning supplies, carpet extractor, vacuum cleaner, vacuum cleaners, cleaning carpets, portable carpet extractor, carpet spotter, carpet fan

Vinegar: Ten Ways to Use It in Your Home to Save Money and Create a Cleaner, Healthier Environment

Vinegar: Ten Ways to Use It in Your Home to Save Money and Create a Cleaner, Healthier Environment By Avril Harper

It’s a far cry since the days vinegar was used by soldiers and mariners to stop food rotting on long journeys and to kill maggots and add flavor to meat that had already decomposed.

Since then this common food additive has developed hundreds of alternative uses, many every bit as good as proprietary health, beauty and household products, meaning you also get to save money by keeping a few spare bottles of vinegar handy.

* Beauty Care: Add a cupful of apple cider vinegar to the bath water to soothe tired muscles and relieve dry itchy skin and sunburn.

* Condiments: Make your own mint by gathering and stripping leaves from the stalks when dry. Tear into tiny pieces and spread evenly in a shallow dish. Cover with vinegar and leave for two or three hours before straining and pressing leaves lightly in a screw-top jar. Store in a cool, dry place.

* Children: Make your own play dough by mixing 2 cupfuls of flour with one cupful of salt, one-half cupful of water and 1 teaspoonful of vinegar. Mix the flour and salt first then slowly add water and vinegar, stirring all the time until the mixture is stiff. Use your hands to kneed the dough. The dough is ready to use or can be brightened with the addition of a little food coloring.

* Cleaning and Polishing: Remove heavy dirt stains from children’s toys and baby hardware, tiles and other heavy duty surfaces, by using a cloth wrung out of lukewarm water to which a little vinegar has been added. Leave to dry before buffing with a clean fluff-free cloth.

* Clothing: Make your own fabric softener by mixing bicarbonate of soda, vinegar and water (parts: 2/2/4). Add a quarter cupful of the mixture to the final rinse for hand or machine washing.

* Cooking and Food: Make your own red food coloring by mixing one cupful of beetroot juice (tinned or fresh), two tablespoonfuls vinegar and water to your desired color. Bottle and leave in a cool place.

* Health Care: In folk medicine vinegar is considered an elixir for a long healthy life and is recommended for internal and external use. Make a daily drink from one tablespoonful of apple cider vinegar to a cupful of warm or cold water, according to preference. The practice is believed to benefit the memory and to help the body fight many diseases of advancing years.

* Ironing Disasters: If linen is badly scorched take a cupful of vinegar to which is added half an ounce of soap, two ounces of fuller’s earth and the juice of one lemon. Boil well and spread over the damaged parts. Leave to dry and wash the linen. You'll find the stain has completely disappeared.

* Smells: Make your own air spray by mixing two cupfuls of white vinegar with one cupful of crushed herbs, choosing from rosemary, lavender, cloves, thyme or pine needles. Place the ingredients in a saucepan and boil gently for ten minutes then leave to cool. Pour into a large jar with close-fitting lid. Leave to stand for three or four weeks. Strain and add the mixture to a spray container or atomizer. Use in the same way as commercial air sprays.

* Stain Removal: Ink stains can be removed by soaking the fabric in vinegar for an hour or two before washing in the usual way.

Avril Harper has more tips to use vinegar to save money and create a cleaner, healthier environment at VINEGAR TIPS and she also offers a range of downloadable free reports at http://www.toppco.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Avril_Harper

Tags: vinegar, vinegar uses, vinegar health, vinegar clean