Neato Carpet Care, LLC

Prevention: Stop Stains and Odors Before They Set Into Your Carpet

While you should always clean up messes on the carpet as soon as you notice them, you can help to keep them from getting out of control with the following tips:

Cleaning Up After Your Furry Loved Ones

When your pet has an accident, cleaning it up quickly is the best way to prevent the stain from becoming embedded in the carpet. Start by cleaning up the moisture and debris if there is any. Then use a pet-friendly carpet cleaner that will work to remove pet stains and odor. Below are some more ideas for cleaning up after your pet:

Hair

Before vacuuming, wrap masking tape around an old paint roller and attach it to an old broom or mop handle. Use it like a giant lint roller to pick up hair before vacuuming and help prevent your vacuum from getting clogged. Raking your carpet with a rubber-bristled carpet rake can help as well.

Urine

Pet stores carry safe formulas to clean pet urine, but you can also make your own non-toxic cleaner at home. Lay down an old towel over the urine and apply pressure to remove moisture. Then add three or four drops of liquid dish washing detergent to 1 cup of warm water to clean the area and rinse it with a clean towel and water. Add two parts water and one-part white vinegar to the affected area to remove the order and deter your pet from soiling there again. Lay paper towels on top of the area and use books to weigh them down to help absorb more moisture.

Stains

Cleaning urine, feces, vomit and blood stains from your carpet can be challenging. There are products specifically designed to remove set-in pet stains, but you must follow the instructions exactly to see results. Getting these stains out of your carpet will require determination and a little elbow grease. Never use steam cleaners as the heat will only set the stain more into the carpet.

Odor

To avoid toxins, use baking soda to get rid of odors. Sprinkle and let it sit for a of couple hours and then vacuum. Pet stores sell enzyme treatments that can be used for removing odors as well. But before using any enzyme treatment, use an extracting carpet cleaner to force only clean water into the carpet and extract it back out. This will remove any chemicals left in your carpet from previous cleaning or treatments.

Hire a Professional Carpet Cleaning Service

While you can help to prevent stains from setting into your carpets, tough stains cannot be removed with regular household cleaners. Having your carpets professionally cleaned two or three times per year can provide benefits other than stain removal. A professional carpet cleaning can remove allergens, restore beauty and actually extend the life of your carpet.

Neato Carpet Care is a family-owned and operated business with over 20 years of carpet cleaning experience. Before we begin our cleaning process, we’ll provide you with a free pre-inspection so you know exactly what we will be doing. Once we begin our process, we guarantee we will restore your carpet to its former, cleaner state. We’ve been serving Phoenix and the surrounding area since 2015. Our company is certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) so you know you are getting the best service when you trust your carpets to us. If you have pets and your carpets are in need of some TLC, give us a call today to schedule your next carpet cleaning!

Types of Carpet Fibers

Synthetic and natural fibers are both used in making carpets. How each room is used or lived in is the best way to determine what type of fiber you should choose. There are five basic types of carpet fiber:

Wool

As one of the leading fiber options, wool is the only natural fiber used to make carpets. Preferred for its natural beauty, wool does have natural soil resistance qualities, but is not stain resistant as synthetic fibers. It is durable and when well cared for can last for a long time. It is also considered an eco-friendly floor covering.

Nylon

Of all the fibers, nylon is the most stain resistant carpet fiber available, when treated. Homes with pets and children can benefit from this carpet fiber as well as those who entertain frequently. Nylon is commonly used in high traffic areas like hallways and stairs.

Polyester

If you have a more normal level of traffic in your home, polyester provides a luxurious look and feel. It also offers a wide selection of colors and styles to choose from.

Olefin

While not as durable nylon or polyester, olefin is resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew. It’s not as comfortable to walk on making it best suited for basements and outdoors.

Acrylic

Though not as widely available, acrylic is less expensive than wool and could be used as a synthetic alternative.

Textures of Carpeting

Carpet texture is defined as how the fibers of the carpet are attached to the backing of the carpet. Generally speaking, there are three different types of carpet texture: Loop, cut-pile and cut-loop

Loop

As the name suggests, the fibers in loop pile are bent into little loops that are uncut on the carpet surface. Durable and stain-resistant, this texture usually has a low profile and limited cushioning and is considered ideal for heavy traffic areas. Within the loop pile family are:

Cut Pile

Cut pile carpet consists of yarns that are cut at the ends giving them a soft feel that makes them perfect for bedrooms, living rooms and family rooms. The amount of twist in the yarns is the main variance among the styles giving them different levels of durability. There are five basic styles of cut pile carpet:

Cut-loop

Cut and loop is yet another type of carpet that has a combination of high cut tufts and lower loops in a variety of patterns. Cut-loop carpets offer good performance and are good for hiding dirt and stains but are slightly less durable than loop carpets.

Tufted Carpet Construction

A tufting machine works like an over sized sewing machine with hundreds of needles that insert loops of fiber into the carpet’s backing to form the face pile of the carpet. The majority of residential carpet is manufactured as tufted carpet. The quality and durability of the carpet is most influenced by the twist of the fibers and the density of the tufts. Below is a list of components that go into the construction of a carpet:

Twist

Twist refers to how tightly the fiber has been twisted. The tighter the twist, the better the carpet will resist crushing and matting. Most cut pile carpet styles have between 3-6 twists per inch.

Density

The amount, and how tightly packed together the fibers are within the carpet is called density. The closer together the fibers are placed, the denser the carpet will be, and the better it will wear and perform.

Stain Resistant Carpet

The primary factor in determining stain resistance is carpet fiber type: nylon, polyester, olefin or wool. Most manufacturers also apply post-production stain protection treatments to enhance each fiber’s natural stain resistant properties.

Dye Methods

There are two popular methods for dying carpet:

Solution Dyed – In order to give the carpet stronger stain and fade resistance, the fiber is dyed before the fiber are woven.

Continuous Dyed – When the post-tufting process is completed, this process is what will achieve solid colors.

Color Selection

When choosing a color scheme for your carpet, consider the walls, window treatments and other furnishings. Bring fabric and color with you when talking to the flooring installation experts.

Once you have your new carpet installed, remember that keeping it looking beautiful will require regular professional cleaning. When you are ready for that first cleaning, give Neato Carpet Care in Phoenix a call!