FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Carpet Icon - Richey, FL - Barrows Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Over the years, our clients have relied on us to answer some of their most challenging carpet stain questions. They are listed below, along with our responses. We sincerely hope you'll find them useful.


Please be aware that while we can only offer this cleaning advise as information based on our experience, we cannot guarantee its effectiveness on your specific stain. Of course Barrows Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning is here for you if you'd like us to do the dirty work for you :)

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  • Why is it important to use an IICRC-Certified company?

    The IICRC is the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, a non-profit organization for the Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Industries.


    Founded in 1972, the IICRC establishes and advances the highest globally-recognized standards, credentials, and certifications for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industries. IICRC Certified Firms are known for their high level of technical experience and professionalism.


    When you use an IICRC Certified Firm, you have the peace of mind that the company has achieved the highest level of industry training and adheres to the highest industry standards. In short, you can be sure your job will be completed right the first time.


    Barrows Carpet Cleaning is an IICRC Certified Firm and has received certifications as:

    • Certified Master Textile Technician
    • Health & Safety Technician
  • How should I care for carpet treated with Scotchgard protector?

    Through a schedule of daily and weekly vacuuming. Daily vacuuming should include all heavy traffic areas to keep dirt from accumulating and eventually working down deep into the carpet. Weekly vacuuming of the entire carpet should be done by moving the vacuum several times over the same area. Another helpful hint would be to move furniture periodically to get at the dust and items found under an behind furniture, on some Berber carpet suction only vacuuming is recommended use caution here as not to snag carpet pile.

  • How do I remove water-based stains?

    Here are instructions for removing some of the more common water-based stains you will encounter, such as, Alcohol, Cola, Baby Formula, Beer, Blood, Candy, Catsup, Chocolate Milk, Clay, Cologne, Cranberry Juice, Felt Tip Marker, Food Stains (general), Fruit Juice, Fruit Punch, Furniture Polish, Grape Juice, Graphite, Ice Cream, Jelly, Latex Paint, Liquor, Milk Soil Spots, Soft Drinks, Syrup, Tomato Juice, Water Colors, Watermelon, Whiskey, Wine, Vomit.


    Step 1:

    ✓ Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials. For liquid spills, blot up with a white towel or paper towel.

    ✓ For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading.

    ✓ Mix a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently.

    ✓ Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.

    ✓ Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet fibers.

    ✓ If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain.

    ✓ Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, luke warm water to rinse.

    ✓ Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure.

    ✓ Repeat rinsing and blotting until all traces of he detergent have been removed.

    ✓ If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and weigh towels down with a heavy, color-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.

    ✓ Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.

    ✓ If stain remains, proceed to Step 2.


    STEP 2:

    Do NOT use on coffee, tea or urine stains.

    ✓ Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water.

    ✓ Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.

    ✓ Do not dry with paper towels. Proceed to Step 3 to neutralize the ammonia solution.


    STEP 3:

    ✓ Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 2 cups of water.

    ✓ Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.

  • How do I remove Special Water-Based Stains, such as Coffee, Tea and Urine?

    Here are instructions for removing special water-based stains you will encounter, such as, Coffee, Tea and Urine:


    STEP 1:

    ✓ For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading.

    ✓ Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel.

    ✓ Mix a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently.

    ✓ Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.

    ✓ Wipe gently, Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet fibers.

    ✓ If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain. -Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse.

    ✓ Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot.

    ✓ Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have been removed.

    ✓ If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and weigh towels down with a heavy, color-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.

    ✓ Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.

    ✓ If stain remains, proceed to Step 2.


    STEP 2:

    ✓ Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.

    ✓ Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.

  • How do I remove Greasy Oil-Based Stains?

    Here are instructions for removing greasy oil-based stains you will encounter, such as, Butter, Chocolate, Cooking Oil, Cosmetics, Crayon Furniture Dye, Furniture Polish, Glue, Gravy, Grease (black), Hand Cream, Ink, Lipstick, Margarine, Mascara, Mayonnaise, Nail Polish, Oil, Oil Paint, Ointment, Peanut Butter, Rouge, Salad Dressing, Spaghetti, Wax*, Gum*, Varnish.

    *Freeze and remove solid materials before using cleaning fluid.


    STEP 1:

    ✓ Use a spoon or dull knife to remove solid materials.

    ✓ For these stains, use a citrus solvent applied directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.


    STEP 2:

    ✓ For large stains, work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading.

    ✓ Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel.

    ✓ Mix a solution of 1/4 teaspoon of clear hand dishwashing detergent with 1 cup of water. Stir gently.

    ✓ Apply detergent solution directly to a white cloth. Dampen the carpet fibers in the stained area with the cloth. Avoid saturating the carpet.

    ✓ Wipe gently. Turn cloth frequently. Never rub, scrub or use a brush. This may damage carpet fibers.

    ✓ If necessary, use your fingertips to work the solution to the base of the stain.

    ✓ Wet the stained carpet fibers with clear, lukewarm water to rinse.

    ✓ Cover the spot with an absorbent white towel or paper towel and apply pressure to blot.

    ✓ Repeat the rinsing and blotting procedures until you are sure all traces of the detergent have been removed.

    ✓ If the stain is gone, place an absorbent white towel or paper towel over the area cleaned, and weigh towels down with a heavy, color-fast object, such as a weighted plastic wastebasket.

    ✓ Change towels or paper towels until carpet dries.

    ✓ If stain remains, proceed to Step 3.


    STEP 3:

    ✓ Do NOT use on coffee, tea or urine stains.

    ✓ Mix 2 tablespoons of non-bleaching, non-sudsing household ammonia with 1 cup of lukewarm water.

    ✓ Apply ammonia solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.

     Do not dry with paper towels. Proceed to Step 4 to neutralize the ammonia solution.


    STEP 4:

    ✓ Mix 1 cup of white vinegar with 2 cups of water.

    ✓ Apply vinegar solution, rinse and blot as outlined in Step 1.

Simple Carpet Icon - Richey, FL - Barrows Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Call 727-844-3480 now – we can help with any job big or small.

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