What fun is having a tidy, lovely home if you never use it to host visitors occasionally? However, the occasional wine night may result in scary wine stains on your carpet. Fortunately for you, they are easily cleaned up with a few everyday home items and some persistent carpet cleaning.

In this article, we will run you through everything you need to know about removing wine stains on your carpet.

Pre-Treat Immediately

Pre-treating as soon as possible is one of the finest things you can do. Red wine will get tougher to get off your carpet, furniture, or clothes the longer it sits there. When wine spills, dab a sponge in cold water and press gently over the liquid until it is absorbed. 

You may also blot the excess liquid with paper towels or a rag that can absorb liquid. This aids in avoiding more stains. Be careful not to rub it, as doing so can cause the stain to spread.

Use Absorbent Materials

Place some white absorbent material on top of the mess and wait for it to soak up all of the wine that has been spilled. Paper towels, coffee filters, and even old rags are wonderful possibilities. 

Remember that these materials may take some time to soak up all of the wine stains, so be patient! As a last resort, you may try laying an absorbent sheet on top of your carpet and then covering it with a towel. This method will keep spills from spreading while providing your materials time to do their thing.

Keep Blotting

Blot up as much of the spill’s liquid as you can using paper towels before you begin mopping your floors. This will stop the cleaning agent from spreading all over your carpet.

Use a combination of one part water and one part distilled white vinegar (without scents) and apply it with a sponge or cloth if any visible stains remain after blotting. Allow settling for five minutes. Dry off with a fresh towel.

Let It Dry

Wait until the wine is completely dry before attempting to remove it from your carpet if you spill wine. Alcohol and water combine to form a faint stain resembling red wine but are more challenging to remove.

Use club soda or rubbing alcohol to blot up as much liquid as you can once your carpet has dried. Next, make a bowl-sized mixture of one part white vinegar and two parts water. Using an eyedropper, administer a few drops, and then wipe with paper towels or rags.

Getting the Help of Dishwashing Liquid

Drop a bit of dishwashing liquid and blot it with a fresh, absorbent towel after waiting 30 minutes. 

If it doesn’t work, mix baking soda and water into a paste and use a brush or your fingers to distribute it over the wet area. Allow drying before wiping. Before using stronger carpet cleaners, consider using club soda or rubbing alcohol first; it can take many applications.

Conclusion

There are numerous ways to remove wine from your carpet, but the methods described here are the most commonly used. They are also the easiest and quickest ways. In the end, the method you choose is entirely up to you.  

However, if none of these methods works or you don’t want to risk damaging your carpet, even more, it is best to hire the help of professional carpet cleaners.

Are you looking for carpet cleaners in Lexington, KY? Bluegrass Cleaning Company offers family-safe carpet cleaning services. Call now for a free quote!

Keep your allergies under control by getting rid of the pesky allergens in your home. Don’t worry; it does not have to be complicated. There are quick and easy ways to reduce the allergens in your home and avoid the hassle of coughs and a runny nose.

Here are some tips you can start with.

1. Use an Air Purifier or Dehumidifier When Vacuuming

Vacuuming reduces the amount of dust and other allergens in your home. It also removes dirt, making everything look and feel clean.

However, you can use an air purifier or dehumidifier to help your vacuum work better. Air purifiers and dehumidifiers will help eliminate all the debris and dust in the air, ensuring that your home stays clean.

Although air purifiers and dehumidifiers are great for cleaning up the house, you should also invest in allergy-friendly cleaning products. This can help keep your allergies under control.

2. Wash Pillows, Sheets, Mattresses, and Duvets Regularly

The allergens in your home can also be found in your bedding. When you sleep on allergen-infested bedding, you will breathe in all the allergens.

To help reduce the allergens in your bedding, wash your sheets and pillows regularly. Yes, you should wash sheets and pillows once a week and duvets at least once a month. Laundry detergent will remove the most allergens and keep you healthy.

Lastly, make sure you also have your mattresses cleaned. Hiring a mattress cleaning service can help you accomplish this more challenging task.

3. Use a Damp Cloth When Dusting

Dust mites are a significant cause of allergies. These microscopic bugs live in the dust covering your furniture and house. They feed off dead skin cells, which is why allergens from your body will land on the furniture.

Since dust mites are living in the dust that covers your furniture, you can use a damp cloth when dusting. This will help remove the dust mites from your furniture without spreading the dust further, making your house less hospitable to dust mites.

4. Replace Air Filters Once a Month

Air condition filters remove odor, gases, and other irritants that may trigger your allergic reactions. This makes your house a lot safer for you.

However, you should replace air conditioning filters once a month. This is so you can get rid of the dust, dander, dirt, hair, and other small particles that can cause allergic reactions and rashes that the filters were able to catch.

5. Clean Vacuum Bags and Replace Vacuum Filters

Vacuum cleaners can be effective in removing allergen-causing dirt and debris. However, when vacuum cleaners are left without cleaning, they can leave allergens behind, making your allergies worse.

You should clean your vacuum bags and replace your vacuum filters once a month. Doing so will ensure that your vacuum cleaner performs as it should. It will also keep allergens out of your home.

Final Thoughts

Allergies can trigger a lot of allergies and a lot of health issues. This is why you need to keep the allergens under control. If you follow these five steps, you can get rid of allergen-causing dirt, dust, and debris.

Get rid of the allergens in your bedroom by making sure your mattresses are cleaned. Contact us at Bluegrass Cleaning Company for professional mattress cleaning in Lexington, KY. We will help you breathe easier and sleep better. Book a service appointment today!

While we’re sure that you love your furry friends, there’s no denying how annoying it can be whenever they end up peeing on your carpet. Not only are the stains incredibly difficult to get rid of, but the smell that comes with them can be quite nasty. Luckily, there are ways to deal with this problem. To help make things easier for you, we thought it would be useful to put together a brief article on this subject. If this is something that you’re interested in learning more about, read on for three ways to get rid of pet urine stains and odors from your carpet.

Store-Bought Stain Removers

One option is to purchase a pet urine stain remover from the store. Make sure the formula is non-toxic for your pets by reading the label. Begin the cleaning process by blotting the stain. Apply the stain remover to the area and rinse it off, then blot dry. Be careful not to use too much cleaner, as it might leave a sticky residue.

Homemade Solutions

You can also make your own carpet cleaning solution. The following solutions have been known to be effective, but you should always test a small area of the carpet first: 

• Baking Soda and Vinegar: To remove a stain using baking soda and vinegar, first, spray white vinegar on the area. Next, sprinkle baking soda over the vinegar. Cover the area with a towel and let it sit for a day or two. Once the baking soda has dried, remove it by scooping it up, then rinse the area with cool water. Finally, blot the area dry with paper towels.
  
• Dishwashing Detergent:  To remove a stain, mix a quarter teaspoon of dishwashing detergent with a cup of warm water. Put this in a spray bottle, then spray the mixture onto the stain. Towel dry, and repeat the process if necessary.

When cleaning, be sure to blot the area gently instead of scrubbing too hard.

Professional Cleaning

There are certain consumer products that can eliminate the odors that build up in a house. An enzyme cleaning spray will break down the substances that cause the odor, allowing it to evaporate. Unlike most carpet shampoos and cleaners that only mask the scent, these cleaners get rid of the odor completely, preventing it from coming back. Enzyme cleaners are often enough to handle minor accidents. But if you can’t get rid of the odor with DIY approaches, a professional carpet cleaner may be able to help. Thanks to their training and equipment, they have the tools and knowledge to get rid of the odor for good.

Conclusion

We hope this article proves to be useful when it comes to helping you figure out the best way to deal with pet urine stains and odors. While it may seem difficult at first, the options that we’ve outlined above should make things easier for you. Be sure to keep everything you’ve learned here in mind so that you can properly address pet urine stains on your carpet. Remember, if you can’t do it yourself then it may be time to reach out to professionals. 

In need of area rug cleaning in Lexington, KY? Bluegrass Cleaning Company offers family-safe carpet cleaning services. Call today and speak with one of our friendly professionals about your area rug cleaning.

No matter how carefully you clean your house, your mattress may still have an impact on your life, in general. Indeed, unclean or soiled mattresses should never be left unattended. 

Bedding should be washed once a week to reduce the quantity of sweat, oil, skin, and fluids that accumulate in the mattress. To extend the life of your mattress, it is advised that you clean your cushions at least twice a year. Meanwhile, it is advisable to clean mattresses every six months or twice a year.

Additionally, it is worth knowing that there could be around 2 million dust mites in a mattress. If you don’t clean your bed on a regular basis, it could be the dirtiest thing in your house.

Upkeep of Mattresses

The mattress pad features pores in it that allow oils from people’s bodies to pass through, as well as dead skin, dust mites, sweat, and other residues from children and pets. Unlike rugs and carpeting, the fabric used to manufacture a covered mattress does not have an inherent stain resistance. Cleaning beds is vital to eliminate dirt and sterilize any stains. It’s possible that the mattress’s warranty provider will seek professional cleaning services.

A Clean Mattress Means Improved Air Quality

Sleeping accounts for one-third of a person’s life, or eight hours per day for the average adult. It is critical that you maintain the optimal air quality in your bedroom. You breathe in dust from your mattress when sleeping at night. Inadequate indoor air quality can produce a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including eye and throat discomfort, coughing, upper respiratory tract congestion, watery eyes, and weariness.

A Clean Mattress Means Reduced Allergic Reactions

Dust mites in mattresses cause respiratory diseases such as rhinitis, eczema, and asthma. Dust and house mite populations can be controlled by cleaning beds on a frequent and thorough basis. Doctors advise allergy patients whose bodies respond to dust mites in bedding to clean their mattresses on a regular basis. One strategy to reduce the intensity of allergy symptoms is to prevent or eliminate contact with allergens.

A Clean Mattress Means Less Stress

A clean and hygienic mattress might improve your capacity to sleep. You cannot sleep on a mattress that contains dust, skin flakes, and dust mites. Because quality sleep has been shown to promote both mental and physical health, keeping a clean mattress is critical.

A Clean Mattress Means Quality Sleep

The cleanliness of a mattress can have an effect on one’s capacity to sleep. In addition to providing comfort and support, your mattress can have an impact on your health. Your mattress affects the air quality, which influences how well your cells can relax and repair while you sleep.

A Clean Mattress Means Effective Cost-cutting measures

Beds range in price from $800 to $2500, depending on your taste and preference. Either way, mattresses could be an expensive purchase that you have to maintain. Mattresses that are not cared for typically last only 5-7 years. Meanwhile, regularly cleaned mattresses can have an improved lifespan of eight to twelve years.

Conclusion

Everybody loves a good bed, but this means making sure the mattress itself is always clean. As such, do not allow yourself to neglect this cleaning task. In any case, there are professional mattress cleaning services that are available to you.

Are you in need of mattress cleaning in Lexington, KY? Bluegrass Cleaning Company is a professional team that can handle all your cleaning needs. Give us a call today to learn more about our services!

You love the way that wood furniture looks inside of your home. But what you aren’t as crazy about is how the material gets damaged over the years. Wood furniture, as elegant as it can be, can be more susceptible to damage than other decorations in your home. As time passes, the surfaces can get scratched, scuffed, and stained. You want your wood furniture to last as long as possible. How should you care for and clean it? Take note of these maintenance techniques to preserve your wood furniture:

Pay Attention to Cleaning Labels

Wood needs to be cleaned differently than most other materials. Depending on the species of wood and the coating on its surface, you’ll need to use only certain products to clean it safely. Using the wrong product can do more harm than good.

You might know how to disinfect something like a glass tabletop or leather sofa. But what about wood furniture? Harsh cleaning products might strip the wood and leave it looking worse for wear.

We recommend reading the instructions on any cleaning product you use. Make sure that it’s wood-safe before applying it.

Even if a product is designed for use with wood, test it out on a small area first. If you wipe the surface and nothing is damaged, great! But if you notice any concerning signs, discontinue using it immediately.

Use the Right Cloth

Live edge tables are perfect for serving dinner or snacks. But what about when it comes time to clean them?

Dishrags and washcloths are often too abrasive for the delicate surface of unfinished wood. Instead, stick to cotton or microfiber cloths that are soft and mostly dry. Do you have a sticky spot or stain on the table that won’t budge? Rather than using water or an abrasive cleaner, try to apply more pressure with the cloth first.

When using a cloth, always wipe in the direction of the grain—never against it. If you’re using a cleaning solution, only dampen the cloth slightly. The drier the cloth is, the better. Use a cloth that’s completely dry to remove a surface layer of dust.

Prevent Water & Heat Damage

If you’ve ever dealt with a flood or spilled water on your floors, then you may have needed hardwood floor restoration services. The same thing can happen to your furniture if you use improper cleaning techniques.

Cups can damage the surface of a wooden table. Use coasters under glasses to prevent water rings from forming on the wood. When placing a hot dish or plate on the table, use a protective heat mat underneath it. A large placemat can prevent forks and knives from scratching the surface of the wood.

Your chestnut end table does look beautiful next to the window. But did you know that the sun’s rays can damage its surface? Try to keep wooden furniture out of direct sunlight. If you can’t find another place for it, consider drawing the blinds during the day.

Finally, avoid placing wood furniture next to hot or cold spots in your home. Shifting temperatures may cause it to expand and contract. Store wood away from vents and fireplaces.

Unfinished Wood vs. Wax Finishes

Depending on the type of wood furniture you have, you’ll need to adjust your cleaning routine accordingly.

Is your wood finished with shellac, polyurethane, or varnish? It may have a glossy and reflective coating that’s smooth to the touch. Certain cleaning products can destroy this coating, making the wood look and feel uneven.

The wax coating itself has protective qualities, so you’ll rarely need to apply additional products—doing so may cause the wax to dissolve. If this happens, you may need to re-wax the furniture.

Control Humidity

As the seasons’ change, so do the ambient temperatures and moisture levels in our homes. But this can have disastrous consequences for wooden furniture.

Any wood furniture that’s stored in the basement, kitchen, or bathroom could be subject to high humidity levels. Not only can this cause the material to expand, but it may even grow mold.

What can you do to keep humidity under control? Installing a dehumidifier can combat the rising moisture levels. You might install a ventilation system to get rid of steam from cooking or showering. If all else fails, consider moving wood furniture to a drier area of your home.

Plastic furniture might be more durable than wood, but it can’t hold a candle to the beauty and character of this material. When years of wear and tear can make the surface of wood furniture look less than impressive, using the above cleaning and maintenance tips will help keep your wood items gorgeous for years to come.

Look under the cushions of a typical piece of upholstered furniture and you will usually find a fabric care tag. This tag should include an indication of the recommended procedures for maintenance and routine cleaning of that particular piece of furniture. Part of the tag will likely assure you that all new materials were used; this is a reference to the stuffing inside the piece. What you want to know more about is how to keep this piece of furniture looking its best, so look for another tag.

The Cleaning Tag

You should find a tag that specifically lists a cleaning code. Before we go into what these codes mean, please note that these tags and codes are merely a guideline to assist you in spot cleaning only. The tag is also an indication to the professional cleaner how to avoid color loss,
bleeding, browning, or shrinkage during cleaning.

Fabrics are made from a variety of fibers including cotton, polyester, silk, rayon, nylon, polypropylene, acetate, acrylic, wool, and blends thereof. They can be woven in a variety of ways, as well as having an unlimited array of dye methods, colors, and patterns. All of these different combinations make avoiding possible cleaning reactions very challenging, but possible – if you know what you’re doing!

Improper selection of cleaning agents or methods can lead to permanent damage to fabrics. An example is a crushed velvet. If it is treated improperly, it can lose its softness, luster, and crimp. This sort of damage is irreversible. Many floral or multicolored patterns are printed on the fabric rather than woven into it. Extra care must be taken when cleaning these as the colors are only on the surface. The wrong chemical can actually remove the printed dyes, or destabilize them to the point that the colors run into each other. Again, this is uncorrectable.

So, effective, and safe, cleaning of your upholstered furniture means knowing how to clean it. Part of that requires deciphering the code, so here are the cleaning codes and their meanings:

W: This code tells you to spot clean only with water-based shampoo or foam upholstery cleaner. If your tag has a “W” be careful not to
overwet the area or use any solvents.

S: This code tells you the opposite of “W” – it says to spot clean only with a water-free dry cleaning solvent. But remember to always
pretest a small, inconspicuous area before proceeding. Be careful not to oversaturate the material or to use any water.

WS or SW: When you see this tag spot clean with upholstery shampoo, foam from a mild detergent, or mild dry cleaning solvent.

X: This is a really important one which means to clean only by vacuuming or light brushing with a non-metallic, stiff bristle brush. Never use any water or solvent-based cleaners on furniture that has this tag.

No matter what tag you see, remember these basic suggestions:

• Always clean spills promptly, calling a professional if you are in doubt.
• Never rub but rather blot up liquids to avoid damaging the fibers.
• Always start cleaning from the outside of the stain, working your way in, to avoid spreading the stain.
• Do not remove cushion covers for cleaning as they may shrink or misshape and not go back on properly.

Contact Bluegrass Cleaning Co. today for more tips, help, or to schedule an appointment.

Carpet wrinkles and buckles can happen to old carpet, new carpet, in high traffic areas, and in low traffic areas. These ripples not only look terrible but can cause dangerous tripping hazards. Since this unsightly phenomenon can happen any time during the life of your carpet, even when it is new, prevention is the best medicine.

Ripples Happen

Ripples can occur throughout the life of a carpet. Ripples are small waves that usually appear sometime after the carpet is installed. They can
happen in a localized area or throughout the entire room. Installer error is the most common cause. Though ripples can also develop from excessive rolling traffic, improper carpet cushion, delamination of the primary and secondary backings, and even some manufacturing defects.

To avoid ripples carpet should be installed using a power stretcher. Too often installers save time by using a knee-kicker. This results in an inadequate stretch and the potential for ripples to develop as the carpet relaxes. Ripples also occur to carpet that is not properly acclimated to the environment prior to installation, especially if the carpet is installed in cold weather. A carpet needs to acclimate to a normal room
temperature and humidity for at least 48 hours before installation.

Wrinkles are Born

Wrinkles are usually seen in new carpets immediately after installation. Carpet wrinkles are areas where the carpet has been folded or crushed during storage. Wrinkles not only affect the surface yarns, they go all the way through the carpet backings and may be permanent. It is best if this condition is identified before the carpet is installed. If possible the wrinkled portion of the carpet roll should not be used. Wrinkles may be improved by steaming and grooming the carpet, but the results will vary based on the type of carpet yarn, backing, and the severity of the wrinkles.

Cleaning and Repair of Wrinkled and Rippled Carpet

Occasionally, the carpet will develop ripples immediately after cleaning. This can be quite disturbing to both the homeowner and the cleaner. The cause is moisture absorption into the adhesive layer between the primary and secondary backings of the carpet. Even though the ripples appear after cleaning, the root cause is an improper stretch of the carpet during installation. Usually, once the carpet dries completely and acclimates to the normal temperature and humidity of the home the carpet will lie flat again. This can take up to 48 hours, though in rare
cases the ripples may persist. The only way to fix rippled carpet is to re-stretch the carpet. Re-stretching requires training, skill, and patience. It is more difficult to re-stretch a carpet than it is to stretch it right the first time. If ripples are ignored for too long, the carpet will develop buckles. Buckles are large ripples that form breaks and/or wrinkles through the face yarns and carpet backing. If buckles are not corrected
permanent damage to the texture and structure of the carpet results. Even if the carpet is re-stretched the damage from buckles may still
be apparent.

So what should you do if your carpet develops ripples? If the carpet is still under warranty, it’s best to contact the installer and the retailer where you purchased the carpet. If you don’t get any help there the manufacturer would be the next logical step. You may have to be persistent and patient to get results, so keep track of names, dates, and times of all calls or e-mails. If your carpet is out of warranty and has ripples or buckles, steaming and grooming the pile yarns may help minimize the appearance of the damage. Contact Bluegrass Cleaning
Co. today for more tips, help, or to schedule an appointment.