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Happy New Year!

Take Care of All Your Post-Holiday Spots and Spills!

As we wind down from a busy holiday season, we look forward to starting this year with new goals and resolutions… Get a fresh start by having us come out for all of your textile and hard surface needs.

Don’t give your spots or spills time to become permanent. Avoid over-the-counter spotters which, in most cases, just make the spots permanent and untreatable. Act fast and have us out to properly treat your textiles before it’s too late. Here is to a Bright 2022!

Basic Rug Care Tips

Rugs deserve the same care as wall-to-wall carpet and, in some cases, require extra special attention.

Here are some basic rug tips for you to do before Christmas:

Washing rugs — If your rug is small and the label says “machine washable,” shake the rug outside first and then put it in the washing machine at the recommended temperature. Use warm water (90 to 105 degrees) and a mild detergent. Tumble your rug dry at the lowest heat setting.

Beating larger rugs — If your larger rug is easy to pick up, shake it outside first; then put it over a clothesline and beat it. Next, take the rug inside and vacuum it. If the label says dry clean only, then roll it up and call us for a cleaning.

Vacuuming area rugs — Area rugs with fringe require special technique. Use gentle suction and start from the center of the carpet, vacuuming toward the fringe and being careful not to catch the strands in the beater bar. Lift the carpet edge to vacuum beneath the fringe.

Caring for Oriental, Turkish, Persian, or heirloom-type rugs — Have us clean your imported and heirloom rugs so that we can make sure we are abiding by the carpet manufacturer’s specifications. Be gentle with fringe.

If these tips helped but you still need to have your rugs cleaned bring them to our rug spa. Having your rug cleaned in our plant allows us to give it several treatments for a more thorough cleaning, controlled drying, and the use of various tools that are not available on location. We offer free consults to come take a look at your rugs, so call us @ 865-453-5624

Have You had us Clean Your Upholstery?

Don’t just let anyone clean your sensitive fabrics! Our company is experienced in cleaning the finest of upholstered fabrics.

The following important steps will be taken in cleaning your upholstery:

  1. Pre-Inspection – Our technician will perform special tests to determine the content of your fabric. The content will determine what type of cleaning solutions and techniques will be used. We will also point out any potential permanent stains or areas of concern.
  2. Area Preparation – We will prepare the area where the upholstery will be cleaned to protect your surrounding furnishings.
  3. Pre-vacuum – All textiles should be vacuumed thoroughly before cleaning. This step will remove dry soils and any loose particles from cracks and crevices.
  4. Pre-treat – Depending on your fabric, a special solution designed for your fabric type and the soiling condition will be applied to “emulsify” the soil.
  5. Pre-spot – Any potentially difficult spots will be pre-treated with special solutions to increase chances of removal.
  6. Pre-groom – The fabric will then be gently groomed using soft upholstery brushes to loosen the soil.
  7. Soil Extraction and Rinse – The soil is then extracted from the fabric with a gentle, controlled rinse.
  8. Neutralize – The fabric is then pH balanced to maintain its soft, fresh feel.
  9. Post Spot – Any remaining spots will be treated with special stain removal products.
  10. Post Groom – The upholstery will then be prepared for drying with a gentle combing of the fabric.
  11. Post Cleaning Inspection – Our technician will review the cleaning results with you to insure that your expectations have been met or exceeded.

Keep Your Carpets Clean This Fall

Carpet cleaning is just like exercise! If you get into a routine and keep it up, you will see great results and feel better about it. And understanding the right way to clean carpet will help you save time by doing it correctly the first time.

3 Easy Steps to Keep Them Clean!

  1. Vacuum at the right frequency with a CRI-approved vacuum.
  2. Clean spots and spills quickly with products that do not damage the carpet or cause it to re-soil more quickly.
  3. Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime.

Spot Cleaning Tips for Rug Owners

Did you know that spots, if treated improperly, are more likely to become permanent stains?

The best method to safely remove spots from your rug is to have it professionally cleaned by a reputable company (like us) that has special equipment and training in the proper method to clean your rugs. This is not always practical, but this spotting guide will assist you in removing small, everyday household spills while minimizing the risk of permanent damage to your rug.

Most over-the-counter spotters are designed as a one-size-fits-all solution and are inappropriate to use on many rugs. They contain concentrations of detergents, enzymes, and bleaches that can damage your rug and set what could have been a removable spot additional discoloration of your rug. Therefore, we DO NOT recommend using multi-purpose over-the-counter spotters on your rug. Instead, we recommend you use our safe and neutral pH, HomePro Spotter. Finally, the longer a spill remains on your rug the more likely it is to stain, so the best time to attempt to remove any spills is immediately after they occur.

  1. Blot up spills immediately. It is important to remove as much of the excess material as quickly as possible. Using a clean, white towel press down on the stain, working from the outside of the spill to the middle. Blot, don’t rub, scrub or brush because rough treatment will damage the fibers.
  2. Remove any solids with a plastic spoon or credit card.
  3. Pre-test any spotting solution in an inconspicuous area. Test both home-made and commercial cleaning formulas on an unseen place, like the back of your rug. If dye from your rug comes off, or if the rug changes color in that area, you should NOT use this solution. WARNING: using the improper cleaning solutions can set spots and cause discoloration that may not be visible until the rug is thoroughly cleaned and rinsed.
  4. Don’t over-wet. Use small amounts of liquids. Over-wetting can cause the stain to spread.
  5. Less is more. Use cleaning solutions sparingly. Excessive use of strong chemicals can damage your rug and compound the problem.
  6. Use patience. Some spots respond very slowly. It’s better to take a little time when treating a spot than have to look at bad results for years.
  7. Rinse out any chemicals. If you used a cleaning solution, be sure to blot it up and follow up by blotting with a damp cloth. Leaving soap in your rug can cause the spot to reappear due to rapid re-soiling.
  8. DRY THE SPOT THOROUGHLY. Prolonged moisture can cause mildew and damage to your rug. Check back after a half day to make sure that the area is dry. If not, place a fan blowing directly on the spot until dry. If the rug has not dried in two days, call us.
  9. When in doubt, contact Hansen Steam Way for assistance. If a spot does not respond to your treatment, contact your professionals for their expert advice.

How to Care for Your Carpet

Your carpet is a valuable investment. Any investment requires maintenance. You change the oil in your vehicle so that the engine will last longer and avoid costly repairs. The same is true for your carpet, or any floor covering for that matter. By properly maintaining your carpet it will look better, last longer, and contribute to a healthier indoor environment.

When it comes to maintaining carpet, one of the most critical areas of focus is the traffic areas. If ground-in soil is not removed on a regular basis, the traffic areas will begin to wear excessively. The dirt is extremely abrasive against the fibers of the carpet as you walk back and forth on it. The second area of focus is spot removal. You must react to “danger” spots immediately. Red wine, red beverages, urine, blood, etc. can cause a permanent stain if not treated immediately.

Listed below are the steps that you must take to properly maintain your carpeting. 

1. Check the WarrantyCopies of specific warranties on your carpet purchase are available for you upon request. Stain-resistant warranties can vary from 5 to 20 years. All stain-resistant warranties require regular cleaning and immediate spot removal! 

2. Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum!

Vacuum your carpet often. Once or twice a week at least. Vacuuming removes the sharp soil that can cut and slice the fiber causing premature wear. Much of this soil is not visible to the eye. Vacuum before the carpet looks soiled. Remove any loose particles such as loose food, leaves, pieces of crayon, bugs, etc. as these items can cause a spot on the carpet. 

3. Professional Cleaning

As a general rule, professional cleaning by a professional, certified firm, should take place about once a year. Many stain-resistant warranties require professional cleaning every two years! If you have extremely heavy traffic areas, clean more often. Professional cleaning removes the damaging soil from the traffic areas that vacuuming has not been able to remove. Proper professional cleaning will not leave a sticky residue behind and be done many times per year. 

4. Spot Removal

Immediate spot removal is key to a clean carpet. Great care must also be taken in how spot cleaning is performed. When the carpet is new, it has sufficient protector on it, plain tap water will remove many spots. However, for those spots that will not move easily with water, you must use a spot cleaner. Select a spot cleaner that is recommended by your carpet retailer or your trained, certified professional cleaner. Apply spot cleaner sparingly to a white terry cloth and gently massage the spot causing it to transfer into the cloth. Never pour spot cleaner directly on the carpet. If the product that you are using seems to cause the spot to re-soil over a few weeks period, discontinue use. any spot that you are not able to remove, and for pet urine and feces, call your professional cleaner immediately. 

5. Protective Coating

Residential carpets are treated with stain-resistant properties and soil resistors. The soil resistor part is known as DuPont Teflon or 3M Scotchgard. After a period of two to three years, much of the soil resistor wears off, depending on traffic. At that point, you should consider having a professional carpet cleaner re-apply the treatment after professional cleaning. The soil resistor will help the soil slide off the carpet easier when vacuuming, spots will be easier to remove, and professional cleaning will be more effective the next time it is cleaned.

Extend the Life of your Rug

Regular vacuuming will extend the life of your rug and contribute to maintaining its great appearance.

Vacuuming should be proportional to the amount of soiling to which the rug is subjected – the more adults, children, and pets you have walking and playing on the carpet, the more often you are advised to vacuum.

For the average household, it is good practice to vacuum daily in high traffic areas such as hallways, near entrances, or busy living spaces and 2 or 3 times a week for the rest of your home.

For a thorough vacuum do three or four passes in each direction (North-South and East-West).

As a general rule, it is advised to use an upright, brush-assisted vacuum for cut pile and suction only vacuum cleaner on loop pile carpet and rugs.

  • Vacuuming Rugs – Like most carpeting, rugs should be vacuumed at least weekly to remove dry soil, lint, and hair. If in an entryway, vacuum more often. Be cautious not to vacuum the fringe with your brush bar! Use the end of a vacuum hose from a canister vacuum. Every few months turn the rug face down on a clean, dry smooth surface and vacuum to vibrate out the embedded dry soil.
  • Rotation – To ensure even wear, your rug should be rotated. Depending on the traffic, the rotation may vary from every six months to once a year.

If you vacuum frequently but your rug is still in need of a good clean, call for a free consult today!

3 Powerful Reasons to Maintain Your Floors

Reason #1: Your Floors and Fabrics Will Last Longer

Planned maintenance can dramatically increase the life of your floors and fabrics. Bonded traffic area soil that is not removed with vacuuming is just like sandpaper on your floor. It cuts and slices your floor until traffic areas look worn.

Reason #2: Your House Will Look and Smell Better

The appearance of floor coverings and fabrics in your home has a huge impact on how people feel about it. Whether it is a friend or family member, the appearance of your home will cause them to think a certain way about you. Whether it is intentional or not. Planned maintenance keeps your home top-notch at all times.

Reason #3: You Will Be More Productive

The appearance of your home also has an affect on your productivity. If the space is clean and appealing, you are naturally more productive. Do we dare mention Indoor Air Quality Issues or Sick Building Syndrome? Absences due to sickness are many times directly related to air quality issues. Regular maintenance keeps the contaminants out of your floors and fabrics. If a carpet is properly maintained it can serve as a wonderful filter. It captures and holds pollen, bacteria, and contaminants. Like a sink – when the sink becomes full it can no longer filter as well. The answer is NOT hard surface floors because hard surface floors don’t filter at all, so these contaminants become airborne much easier.

Six Reasons to Get Your Carpets Cleaned

  1. Events- Experience proves that more carpet cleaning is done especially around the holiday season, graduations or other special occasions because this creates an urgency that doesn’t exist otherwise.
  2. Visible Soil- Whether it is a spot or a traffic area, it just becomes unsightly. Many times waiting until your carpet is visibly soiled is waiting too late. Traffic area damage may have occurred, and spots may have become permanent.
  3. Maintenance- This is one of the best reasons to get a cleaning service. By properly caring for your carpet, you will dramatically increase the useful life of your carpet and it will look better all the time.
  4. Health- This is also a great reason to clean, especially now during our times this should be a priority. As your carpet does its job as a “sink” or a “filter” it eventually becomes full. It is catching pollens, bacteria, insecticides, asphalt and many other contaminants that need to be cleaned out.
  5. Problem Solving- Occasionally something happens to a textile that appears to be a defect, but can actually be corrected through professional cleaning. Usually carpet manufacturers will require your carpet to be serviced by a certified professional cleaning firm.
  6. Odor Problems- Pet odors, cooking orders, and others make their way into carpets, rugs, fabrics and floors. Get a complete evaluation from our consultant.

Why do white knots in oriental rugs occur?

Did you know that “white knots” is a term to describe a condition inherent in hand-knotted rugs, where light-colored spots appear over time, seemingly at random, in the body of the rug pile? They are sometimes called “rug freckles.” These spots are knots in the rug’s foundation that have worked their way through the rug pile and are showing through the pile yarns. 
When a hand-knotted rug is made, its foundation is made of warp and weft yarns. Warp yarns run the length of the rug and weft yarns span the rug’s width. Often the material the weaver has on hand is too short for the length needed, so shorter lengths are tied together until the necessary length is achieved. Also, in the weaving process, some warp yarns can break, and the loose ends have to be tied together, the knots used in all of these instances will eventually become white knots. When a rug is new and its pile is at full length, these knots can be hidden from view, but eventually, regular foot traffic will wear the pile length down and begin to expose them. Although the term “white knots” is used generally, their appearance reflects the material used in the foundation of a rug, so depending on the material used, your rug might have “blue knots” “gray knots” or others. It is important to understand when you begin to notice them that these knots do not indicate that there is a defect or lack of quality with a particular area rug, rather they simply reflect how your rug was made. They should never be cut as this will lead to a hole in the foundation of your rug. Through foot traffic and regular soiling, these knots can become darker and less noticeable. With a thorough cleaning, the soils and stains that help to hide the knots will be removed, and the knots will reappear or become more noticeable. This does not mean there is a problem with the cleaning, but again reflects one of the physical characteristics of hand-knotted rugs as they wear.