Rafael at Spot On has seen it all... What does he recommend?
*There are no paid endorsements for any products mentioned on this page. All recommendations are tricks that Rafael uses in his own home.
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Tip #1 - Don't call a carpet cleaner...if you don't have to.
For small spots and initial spills, try an easy home clean up first. * Vacuum over the area first if dry. If wet, soak up as much as possible with a dry rag. * Use an inexpensive spot remover, vinegar+baking soda, or even a small dab of laundry detergent, or wet wipes in a pinch, with a moist white rag (always test an inconspicuous area first!). * Then dab and rub with a dry rag. Repeat if necessary. The key is to not get the carpet too wet, and use the dry rag to pull the spot out of the carpet. If the carpet is saturated, stains may reappear once it dries as it wicks to the end of the fibers. |
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Tip #2 - Prevent stains with an invisible shield!
If you have kids, pets, renters, or an uncanny ability to spill everything (like Rafael's girlfriend), protect your carpet and upholstery with ScotchGard. You can buy spray cans at Walmart, Lowe's, Home Depot or other hardware stores and apply it yourself. If applied properly, it helps spills bead up and not soak into carpet or fabric. Scotchgarded carpets and upholstery are also easier to restore and clean when you do call a professional cleaner. Note: Rags you use to apply ScotchGard will also become somewhat waterproof, and will no longer soak up moisture for jobs like Tip #1. |
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Tip #3 - Don't use a "window cleaner" to clean windows.
Windex type cleaners tend to leave streaks that make you want to throw the bottle out the window...if your arms weren't so tired from rubbing Windex back and forth across the glass. Sponging on dish soap and water followed by a squeegee and dry towel work much better on very dirty windows. Vinegar / Water mixture also works well, especially if the windows are just spotty or streaky. For that bathroom mirror with a few toothpaste spots, try just a damp rag followed by a dry rag. Rub with the dry rag until all moisture is gone, then smile at yourself in the clean mirror before going to enjoy that ocean view out your crystal clear windows. |
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Tip #4 - Ignore commercial cleaners; Go back to basics
For tile, grout, bathtubs, sinks or other porous surfaces, don't buy expensive or environmentally damaging cleaners. Old fashioned Vinegar & Baking Soda works best. Rafael recommends: Sprinkle baking soda on the area, then spray with vinegar, drizzle a dab of hand soap, then scrub with a scrub brush. Keep a bucket of warm water near by to rinse the brush as you go. Scrub and let sit before rinsing. Repeat if necessary. This works better than any of the commercial cleaners Rafael has tried (and he's tried almost everything!) Note: The cleaning industry has begun selling "cleaning vinegar" in the cleaner section. This vinegar is the same as the vinegar in the food aisle. At the Kona, HI Walmart, the food vinegar is less expensive. Who knows why... |
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Have a cleaning question? Ask us! 808-639-1098 or [email protected]
Check out Spot On's favorite carpets and windows!
Find unique carpets and windows from around the world below. Have another we should add to the list? Contact Us!
Slideshow carpets courtesy of http://freshome.com/2010/07/20/25-of-the-most-creative-carpet-designs-for-playful-interiors/.
Prague's Dancing House
Photo by minimalisthomedezine.blogspot.com
The Czech Republic's dancing house is nicknamed "Fred and Ginger" after a famous dancing pair. Fred's rugged concrete frame is encircled by shiny, pop-out windows (bling, perhaps?), while Ginger is fully polished, shining in the light like the elegant dancer she represents.
Call Spot On today for an appointment to clean your windows to a shine ready to sparkle in the sunlight as brilliantly as this dancing pair.
Call Spot On today for an appointment to clean your windows to a shine ready to sparkle in the sunlight as brilliantly as this dancing pair.
Eyes are windows to the soul...
Photo from www.pleated-jeans.com
Don't be skeptical. The teardrop shaped windows below are nothing to cry about. These "eyes" help light Stuttgart's High Speed Rail station naturally, minimizing electricity usage inside. The curved glass may be difficult to clean, but dirt and grime reduce the efficiency of these skylight windows.
Do your eyes want to see outside through your windows more clearly? Spot On can professionally clean them all to a streak-free finish, satisfying your eyes and soul.
Do your eyes want to see outside through your windows more clearly? Spot On can professionally clean them all to a streak-free finish, satisfying your eyes and soul.
Photo by http://inhabitat.com
Brussels Flower Carpet
Photo by http://tikkunista.com/tag/flowers/
700,000 begonias make up this outdoor flower carpet in the Grand-Place of Brussels. Mother Nature cleans her carpets with rain, wind, animals, and insects. Your carpets (hopefully) don't experience rain or wind, and your animals will likely not clean them either, unfortunately. Contact Spot On Carpet Cleaning for your indoor carpet needs!
Rake Rake Rake, Rake your Shag Carpet
Photo by http://carpetology.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-care-for-shag-carpet.html
Long and fluffy, shag carpet requires a special rake for grooming. Regular vacuuming is essential as well since longer fibers trap more dirt and debris than regular carpet. If soft shag is your carpet of choice, be sure to call Spot On for your cleaning needs!
Moss Rug
Photo by http://inhabitat.com/moss-carpet-by-nguyen-la-chanh/
Step out of the tub onto a live moss rug. Moss absorbs water and thrives in moist environments. It carpets forests and now it can carpet your bathroom. For care and cleaning, you should probably call woodland creatures or a landscaper. Unfortunately, care of living rugs is not one of Spot On's Services, but regular cleanings will improve the life of all your traditional carpets and rugs.
Clownfish and his Anemone Carpet
Photo by http://www.wallpaperbeautiful.com
A great example of symbiosis, clownfish fertilize anemones and chase away fish that eat anemone polyps while the anemones' stinging tentacles don't sting clownfish, but protect the clownfish from predators. However, it seems that clownfish enjoy relaxing on the soft sea carpeting just as we stretch out on plush pile in our living rooms.
Why not maintain a symbiotic relationship with your carpet? Your soft carpet keeps you warm and cozy. Keep it clean and lengthen its life with Spot On.
Why not maintain a symbiotic relationship with your carpet? Your soft carpet keeps you warm and cozy. Keep it clean and lengthen its life with Spot On.
