With Thanksgiving approaching, expect a lot of delicious, albeit grease-laden, food on the kitchen table. A spill can cause the grease to end up on the carpet floor. Fortunately, removing grease from carpet is possible, if you act immediately.

Removing Grease

Multiple methods are available which only require inexpensive items you probably already have in the home. You can use a simple solution of dish detergent, white vinegar, and water. Wipe away as much of the grease as possible with a clean towel, then use a sprayer to apply the solution. Let it sit for five minutes before dabbing at the stain with a clean cloth.

Alternatively, you can apply rubbing alcohol over the area. Use an absorbent pad and press it over the stain. Remove the pad and let the area dry.

The above techniques also work well for removing grease from upholstery and furniture.

If these methods don’t eliminate the stain completely, then the grease may have reached further into the carpet fibers. At this point, you will need to call for professional carpet cleaning services. Even on some tile floors, grease stains can be difficult to remove if they’ve been there for some time.

Removing Odor

Even if you manage to remove most or all of the stain, the odor may linger for a while. Sprinkle a small amount of white vinegar over the area and top it off with a sprinkle of baking soda. Let the contents sit overnight. The next day, remove with a vacuum cleaner. The baking soda may leave a distinct odor of its own which should quickly dissipate.

We Remove Grease from Carpet

We completely eliminate grease stains and their accompanying odors. Give Rick’s Family Carpet Care a call if a stain blemishes your floor. Removing grease from carpet is quite common, especially around Thanksgiving time when that greasy drumstick or mashed potatoes spill on the floor.

Carpet Stain and Odor Removal

Serving Customers in Tacoma, Puyallup, Spanaway, Graham, Yelm, McKenna, Roy, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, Lacey, Tumwater, University Place, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Sumner, Edgewood, Milton, Kent, Auburn, Renton and Fife

Halloween is around the corner. Your young ones will be bringing home treats in the form of Starbursts, Jolly Ranchers, and other confectionary delights. Keep in mind that most candy melts and can be a major nuisance if it makes its way onto carpet. Removing melted candy, however, is possible.

Why Melted Candy Is Problematic

Candy mixed with water or saliva creates a sticky situation and will adhere to carpet fibers like glue. This is true of most candy types, whether it be chocolate, hard candy, or chewy taffy. The key is to act fast; otherwise, your only solution will be a professional carpet cleaning.

A Step-by-Step Process for Removing Melted Candy

1. The first step is to remove as much of the solid sugary gunk as possible. One trick is to apply ice to the candy. This freezes it enough so that it’s easier to pick up or chip off.
2. Scrape away any remaining residue using a dull knife.
3. Pour two cups of water and half a teaspoon of dish soap into a container. Shake the container to get a foamy mixture.
4. Dab a clean cloth into the container and press the cloth over the candy stain for 30 seconds.
5. Remove the cloth and wait for about 15 minutes. This gives time for the stain particles to break down.
6. Blot at the stain using a dry cloth.
7. Blot at the stain with a cloth soaked in a mixture of water and white vinegar.
8. Dry the area with a clean cloth.

We Remove Old Candy Stains

We eliminate candy stains from all surface types, including carpets, upholstery, and tile. Call Rick’s Family Carpet Care if a Jolly Rancher or Hershey Kiss left a permanent stain. Removing melted candyl may require professional equipment and expertise.

Carpet and Upholstery Stain Removal

Serving Customers in Tacoma, Puyallup, Spanaway, Graham, Yelm, McKenna, Roy, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, Lacey, Tumwater, University Place, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Sumner, Edgewood, Milton, Kent, Auburn, Renton and Fife

Your home may be the source of your allergies. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that indoor pollutants are, on average, two to five times higher than outdoor pollutants. The cleanliness of your carpet has much to do with this. Carpet care and indoor air quality are highly correlated.

Bacteria

Unless you recently steam-cleaned the carpet, the strands are probably infested with bacteria. Common bacteria found in carpet include listeria, shigella, and salmonella, among others. Here’s more food for thought: a carpet can contain as much as 200,000 bacteria per square-inch. Studies also reveal an average home carpet is 4,000 times dirtier than a toilet seat.

Moisture

Moisture can easily get “locked” into the fiber strands. This can stem from a water spill or walking barefoot with wet or sweaty feet. Moisture leads to mold growth, which occurs below the surface and out of sight. This can cause respiratory and flu-like symptoms, such as chest tightness and wheezing.

Allergens

Allergens range from the common dust mite to pet dander. Having these in your carpet is especially bad if you have a hypersensitive immune system. Carpets can contain up to 100 times more allergens than hardwood floors. This is because the carpet fibers trap microscopic debris the same way a filter does.

Chemicals

Chemicals may linger in the carpet strands. This doesn’t just include chemicals from store-bought carpet sprays. It also includes other items you use around the home, such as window cleaners or bug sprays. Carpets collect the residue.

Leave Carpet Care and Indoor Air Quality to Us

Aside from the carpet, the tile floors and upholstery can also contain just as many pollutants. This makes professional cleaning all the more necessary. Call Rick’s Family Carpet Care to schedule your next home cleaning. Carpet care and indoor air quality have a strong connection that warrants homeowner attention.

Residential Carpet Cleaning

Serving Customers in Tacoma, Puyallup, Spanaway, Graham, Yelm, McKenna, Roy, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, Lacey, Tumwater, University Place, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Sumner, Edgewood, Milton, Kent, Auburn, Renton, and Fife

Any type of liquid spill has the potential to cause damage to your carpet’s fibers, even water. Some liquids, though, are more headache-inducing than others. Let’s explore the worst carpet stain agents and what you should do immediately if you spill any of these on your carpet.

1. Blood

Even a minor papercut can cause blood to trickle. Blood is a protein-based liquid that makes cleaning a challenge. You will need to act fast and use an enzyme-based cleaner. This also goes for blood stains on upholstery and furniture.

2. Bleach

It’s a bit ironic that a liquid designed for stain removal can cause a stain itself. Technically, bleach doesn’t leave a stain. Rather, it causes fading by stripping the fiber of its dye. This makes cleaning nearly impossible if not treated in time. This will call for a professional carpet cleaning. Store bleach on tile or other hard surfaces so it doesn’t get near your carpet.

3. Red Wine

Red wine stain is especially bad on a light-colored carpet. Its acidic nature can also cause additional damage to the strands. You will need to blot the stain with a paper towel and then use baking soda or club soda to dilute the liquid. Scrubbing should remove most of the stain, though some discoloration may remain.

4. Coffee

Just as coffee stains teeth, it can also leave a brown mark on the carpet. As with other spills, the stain will be more pronounced on a light-colored carpet. Blot up as much of the spill as you can, then use a solution of water and white vinegar.

We Remove Stains from the Worst Carpet Spills

Stains are an eyesore. Unfortunately, DIY measures aren’t always 100% effective. If your DIY care fails to yield the desired results, give Rick’s Family Carpet Care a call. We remove stains on all surface types. We have the solution for even the worst carpet stains.

Residential Carpet Stain Treatment

Serving Customers in Tacoma, Puyallup, Spanaway, Graham, Yelm, McKenna, Roy, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, Lacey, Tumwater, University Place, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Sumner, Edgewood, Milton, Kent, Auburn, Renton and Fife

We previously emphasized the importance of summer carpet cleaning. Much less attention, though, is given to tile floors during the hottest months of the year. Summer tile cleaning is just as important because the season creates situations for the floor to attract dirt and debris.

How Summer Creates Dirtier Tiles

Summer means more fun in the sun. The kids and pets play in the pool or in front of the lawn sprinklers. When they enter, they track the water indoors. You might think this is no big deal because it’s only water. However, when water dries, it leaves behind solid material on the tile floor, creating a visible stain.

Summer Tile Cleaning: The Basics

When cleaning tile, don’t over do it with the soap. More soap in the cleaning solution does not equal more clean tiles. When you use too much soap, some of the soapy residue remains on the tile. This creates a sticky surface for dirt to cling to.

Another helpful technique is actively drying the floor rather than letting it air dry. Homeowners may think air drying is fine especially with the summer heat. However, air drying often results in spots and stains. Think about it: do you let a mirror or car air dry? No, and you shouldn’t allow your tile floor to air dry either.

For best results, we suggest professional steam cleaning. This is one of the top maintenance methods for tile cleaning because it removes stains and kills bacteria. Mopping only creates the appearance of a clean surface, but actually makes the floor dirtier by spreading the bacteria.

We Clean Tile and Grout Year-Round

With the summer comes airborne pollutants, dirt, and sweaty bodies. This is why cleaning is all the more important. This goes for the carpet, tile, and upholstery. Contact Rick’s Family Carpet Care for summer tile cleaning.

Summer Tile and Grout Steam Cleaning

Serving Customers in Tacoma, Puyallup, Spanaway, Graham, Yelm, McKenna, Roy, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, Lacey, Tumwater, University Place, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Sumner, Edgewood, Milton, Kent, Auburn, Renton and Fife

You sit on your couch every day. This is your seat when watching Sunday football or the new episode of Game of Thrones. However, the frequency of use is precisely why the couch is probably dirtier than you might think. You’ll be amazed as you learn about these jaw-dropping dirty couch facts. Then we’ll explain how you can keep the couch clean.

A Dirty Couch May Be Teeming with Mold

During humid summer months the upholstery absorbs moisture like a sponge. The same goes for other materials like carpets and mattresses. This makes the couch a perfect breeding ground for mold.

A Dirty Couch has Grease Residue

Your couch is probably full of grease residue even if you never spilled any oily substances on the fabric. Your body produces natural oil, which can easily transfer to the couch if your exposed skin makes contact with the surface. The oil creates the perfect spot for germs to collect.

A Dirty Couch Is Ridden with Bacteria

According to studies, a couch has more bacteria per square-inch than a toilet seat. Common viruses, such as those that cause the flu, can survive on soft surfaces for up to 24 hours. Your couch could very well be making you ill.

How Often Should You Clean Upholstery?

According to the Hygiene Council, 61% of homeowners have never sanitized their couch or have only done so once in the couch’s lifetime.

We recommend an upholstery cleaning at least once a year, preferably in conjunction with a carpet and tile cleaning. Just as you regularly wipe your kitchen counter and bathroom sink, you need to do the same with your upholstery.

We Sanitize All Upholstery Types 

Make summer the month to fresh your home with professional cleaning. Start by calling Rick’s Family Carpet Care. We sanitize a dirty couch and remove all associated stains and foul odors.

Upholstery Cleaning and De-sanitization

Serving Customers in Tacoma, Puyallup, Spanaway, Graham, Yelm, McKenna, Roy, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, Lacey, Tumwater, University Place, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Sumner, Edgewood, Milton, Kent, Auburn, Renton and Fife

Carpet mold is far more common than people think. If you have a carpet in your home and haven’t scheduled a carpet cleaning in some time, then it probably has some degree of mold growth. Here’s how to recognize the signs of fungal growth deep in your carpet fibers.

The Truth About Carpet Mold

Most homeowners don’t suspect mold in their carpet fibers because the mold is deeper in the strands and not visible to the naked eye. However, other telltale signs are red flags of the presence of mold.

Musty Odor

A musty smell is a dead giveaway. However, since you spend most of the time in your home, you are probably accustomed to the odor and don’t even notice it. The smell, though, will be apparent to a visitor.

Discoloration

Mold in its advanced stages develops a distinct color. This may appear on the carpet in the form of black or green splotches. Even if you don’t see surface discoloration, the splotches could be visible underneath the strands if you look more closely.

Allergies

Mold induces respiratory problems, especially in those with a history of asthma or bronchitis. Heightened allergy symptoms could be a sign of mold. The mold might be in your carpet, but it could be in other locations, such as the furniture upholstery.

Dampness 

Does your basement’s carpet feel damp? This may be a sign of a leak in the basement. Depending on how long the area has been wet, mold may have already begun to grow. Dry the area as soon as possible; the same goes for any liquid spills.

We Eliminate Carpet Mold

Mold is resilient and can grow even on surfaces like tile and grout. You can’t simply remove mold with a scrubber and a household cleaning spray. Call Rick’s Family Carpet Care if you suspect mold. Our cleaning removes carpet mold embedded deep within the fiber.

Carpet Cleaning and Mold Removal

Serving Customers in Tacoma, Puyallup, Spanaway, Graham, Yelm, McKenna, Roy, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, Lacey, Tumwater, University Place, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Sumner, Edgewood, Milton, Kent, Auburn, Renton, and Fife

Spilling anything other than water on carpet is a nightmare scenario. This is especially the case with red wine, a notorious staining agent. We’ll show you how to remove red wine from a carpet and what NOT to do.

How Not to Remove Red Wine from a Carpet

Most homeowners instinctively and immediately grab a paper towel and begin scrubbing rigorously at the spill. Do not scrub at the spillage. While this may lighten the stain, it will also spread it.

You should also not spray the area with a store-bought stain remover. Many homeowners spray the area only to find the red stain turn greenish or brownish. Sprays may cause a chemical reaction that leads to the color change.

The Right Way to Remove Red Wine

Act quickly and place several paper towels over the spill and apply your weight on the towels. This should transfer most of the liquid from the carpet to the towels. Replace towels as necessary. While tempting, do not scrub with the paper towel.

Next, lightly wet a fresh towel and blot over the spill for several minutes. Follow this up by placing a fresh dry towel over the spill. Place a heavy item, such as a stack of books, over the towel to keep weight on it. Let it sit for a few hours or even overnight.

This should prevent the spill from turning into a permanent stain. If some redness remains, then you will require professional carpet cleaning. The above steps also work for most upholstery and mattresses. The quicker you act the greater the probability that you will be able to remove all of it.

We Remove All Types of Stain 

For more stubborn stains, contact Rick’s Family Carpet Care. We clean most types of floors, including tile and grout. Removing red wine from a carpet is doable, but full removal may require professional intervention.

Carpet Stain Removal for Puyallup Residences

Serving Customers in Tacoma, Puyallup, Spanaway, Graham, Yelm, McKenna, Roy, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, Lacey, Tumwater, University Place, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Sumner, Edgewood, Milton, Kent, Auburn, Renton and Fife

Carpet dents are an eyesore. These imprints occur as furniture leaves visible marks that you can’t simply smooth over. Professional carpet repair services might be necessary, though you could probably minimize the dent with a few simple DIY measures.

How Do Carpet Dents Form?

Carpet dents form when you leave upholstered furniture in the same spot for prolonged periods. This is especially true for furniture with legs. The weight of the furniture presses down on the carpet and could leave permanent indentations. The heavier the furniture, the quicker a dent forms in place.

How to Prevent Carpet Dents

Prevention is the best remedy. One of the best methods is to move the furniture every few weeks. You don’t have to completely relocate it, just move it a few inches so the legs are in a different position. 

Another method is to spread the weight of the furniture. Under normal circumstances, the furniture’s entire weight rests on four skinny legs. Distribute that weight by placing furniture discs under the legs. The larger the weight distribution, the shallower the dent.

How to Remove Carpet Dents

If a dent is already present, then a few DIY remedies will possibly work. You could try the ice method by placing an ice cube on the dent and letting it melt in place. Soak up the water with a towel and try to smooth over the area using a spoon or similar object. You could also try to use heat: press a damp ironed towel over the dent and smooth over with a spoon.

We Restore Carpet Dents

Call Rick’s Family Carpet Care if you have deep indentations on your carpet. We normally fix dents along the way as we perform regular carpet cleaning. Carpet dents can be quite stubborn and may require professional removal.

Carpet Dent Restoration

Serving Customers in Tacoma, Puyallup, Spanaway, Graham, Yelm, McKenna, Roy, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, Lacey, Tumwater, University Place, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Sumner, Edgewood, Milton, Kent, Auburn, Renton, and Fife

What is the biggest threat to a carpet? Is it dirt, pet dander, coffee spills? No, water is actually a carpet’s greatest threat. By water, we don’t mean a spill from a glass of H2O. We mean a soaked carpet from a flood or a major leak. The good news is that a wet carpet is still savable. 

How to Save a Soaked Carpet 

First, you need to contact a carpet cleaning service right away. They will make the final determination of whether or not the carpet is salvageable. You can also perform a few simple steps on your end. Perform these steps to remove as much of the water as possible.

• Lay towels over the wet carpet; replace them with fresh ones once they completely saturate.
• Use high-powered fans, which you can rent at most hardware stores. 
• Keep all windows and doors open. However, if humidity is high, then close the windows, switching on the heating system instead.
• Use a dehumidifier and keep it running throughout the day. Regularly check the dehumidifier’s canister and empty it when it’s full.
• Apply baking soda over the wet carpet; this helps remove odors. Vacuum the baking soda after half an hour.

When to Replace a Carpet

Under some circumstances, you might have to discard a wet carpet and replace it altogether. This will be the case if you don’t act immediately and mold starts appearing. We also advise carpet replacement if the flood water included grey or black water. The same also goes for upholstery and furniture that became saturated in the process.

Finally, you should consider a home insurance policy that covers carpet damage. 

We Restore Soaked Carpets

Whether from rain or a broken pipe, call Rick’s Family Carpet Care if water floods your carpet. We can also perform tile and grout cleaning as part of a larger cleaning package. A soaked carpet is a serious matter that requires immediate professional attention.

Carpet Cleaning and Restoration

Serving Customers in Tacoma, Puyallup, Spanaway, Graham, Yelm, McKenna, Roy, Lakewood, Steilacoom, Dupont, Lacey, Tumwater, University Place, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Sumner, Edgewood, Milton, Kent, Auburn, Renton and Fife