Keeping apartments clean can honestly be a somewhat difficult task. Especially if you are on a top floor area, lugging up and down cleaning supplies can be a difficult task.
In active areas such as Petaluma, Rohnert Park, and Santa Rosa there is a lot of in and out activity going on at apartment complexes.
Our carpet cleaning company takes cares of apartment complexes and works with apartment managers and owners to facilitate the cleaning of apartments. We can work with active tenants who are need a move out clean, or for the property managers who need a cleaning crew after the move out.
Give us a call today at (707) 358-3050 to get your apartment cleaned up!
Everyone's favorite dirt, spill, and pet stain magnet.
I know wood floors are all the rage these days, but I grew up in a house where most of the rooms were carpeted, and I still have a soft spot in my heart for the stuff. No, really, I'm not being ironic. What's not to like? It's cozy, and doesn't give your feet frostbite like wood floors on winter mornings. Sure, my parents' house had that ONE STAIN in the living room that never came out, but it was tiny anyway, right? If I'm remembering correctly, I think we moved the couch so it was on top of it. But when you're young, you don't care much about how clean the carpet is, really.
And then you rent your own apartment, and that changes a little.
Here are a few ways you can do that without pulling your own hair out.
Disclaimer: this is not a fix-all for every stain in the book. Some are tougher than others. However, if you act right away, you have a pretty good chance of removing that stain. Don't let it sit; take a white towel, paper towel, or a sponge, add some cleaning solution, and dab at the stain from the outside to the inside. Scrubbing or going from inside to outside can spread the stain further. It can also damage the carpet fibers and make them appear fuzzier. In other words, totally obvious that you spilled something there.
If you're worried about using strong cleaners, try vinegar first.
Some cleaners can interact with carpet in ways that aren't exactly desirable. White vinegar is gentler, and a natural alternative. If it doesn't work and you're still looking at an unsightly stain, move on to a commercial cleaner if desired. Search the internet for brands that aren't harsh on your carpet.
If you're worried about shelling out lots of money for a professional carpet-cleaning, rent your own machine and do it on your own. Vacuum your carpet very thoroughly first, and try to remove stains manually before using a steam cleaner. Sometimes the heat from the machine can make a stain more difficult to remove. Move the machine over the carpet slowly, don't pass over areas too many times (you want to avoid soaking the carpet), and let it dry completely (open windows, run your AC and fans, don't walk all over it). If you don't dry the carpet adequately, it becomes a nice home for mold and mildew, which I'm sure you don't want on top of everything else. Don't rush into this process; read up on it and make sure you know how to operate the machine before jumping in.
For pet urine, combine peroxide and dish soap with baking soda.
Pet stains are, well, a big pain. If you act right away, they're easier to remove, but it might not always work out that way. If you come home to a pee stain, soak it up with paper towels, sprinkle baking soda on what's left over, and add a solution of peroxide and dish soap on top. You can then blot it with a cloth, let it sit 10-15 minutes, and repeat as needed. The smell will be removed, so your pet won't be encouraged to...well…claim that spot as their own again. Bonus: this method is natural and won't harm pets like some chemical cleaners. If you don't want to make this cleaner yourself, there are natural pet stain cleaners also available online or in stores. Do some research and find one that works for you.
Hire a professional if needed.
If you don't relish the thought of steam cleaning yourself (or feel like you might mess it up, which is how I feel after reading about it), call in somebody to do it for you. Make sure they come out and do an inspection of your living space first. They'll then quote you for a price based on how dirty the carpeting is, and how much of it (in square feet) needs to be cleaned. If you can afford to do this, it's recommended to get it done every 18 months at the least, every year at the most.
Use dish washing detergent for grease stains.
Dish detergent gets rid of grease on your carpet just like it does on your dishes. Put a couple drops in a cup of water, spray it on the carpet with a spray bottle, and soak it up with a paper towel. You can keep doing this as much as you need, until the stain is out.
Sounds weird, but hear me out. Apparently, putting shaving cream on top of a stain and then letting it sit for thirty minutes works for most stains. After letting the shaving cream sit, rinse the area with a vinegar and water solution. Make sure to blot with a white towel or cloth afterwards.
Vacuum once a week (no really, do it).
If you don't want dirt from shoes, etc. to collect in highly-trafficked areas, go over those areas repeatedly, and slowly, with your vacuum. Make sure you've emptied the vacuum of old dirt as well, or it won't do the best job. And don't slack on this one; the longer you let your carpet go without vacuuming, the sooner you'll have some lovely dark spots, and they'll be harder to remove.
Hopefully some of these tips help, and your apartment carpet stays looking fresh and clean. You know, at least until you spill some red wine on it again. At least you've got a helpful list to turn to now.