Chemistry is one of the subjects that impacts highly applicable knowledge, especially if you are in the carpet cleaning industry. Understanding the chemical make-up – particularly the PH level – of a cleaning solution can identify the difference between having a discolored carpet and one that is looking rejuvenated.
When it comes to cleaning carpets, it may seem reasonable to grab any type of cleaner and start scrubbing to remove stains and oils. However, this is a big mistake because of one crucial component of cleaning: PH levels. As professional carpet cleaners, we know that PH plays an integral role when it comes to carpet cleaning products because of its ability to damage fibers and dyes. What is PH? In simplest terms, a PH level of solution refers to the alkalinity or acidity of a water-based solution. A PH of 7 indicates a neutral solution. So, anything below 7 is considered acidic, and anything above is considered alkaline. PH MythIn the early 1950s, the issue of PH guidelines started when a group called the British Standards was looking for volunteers to set limits on alkalinity for carpet cleaning. Most of the cleaners were using shampoo method because all carpets back then are wool. Many were boosting their products with ammonium hydroxide while some pushed the limit, increasing the PH too much, so the committee set a PH range of 5.5 to 8.0. Starting in the 1960s, the concern about alkalinity lessened because synthetics became the dominant fibers in the United States. Then acid dye blockers came in 1986, and once again, alkalinity was a big issue. Later, the majority claimed that Wools of New Zealand had modified the 5.5 to 8.0 rule to become a 4.5 to 8.5 guideline. But it turned out that Wools of New Zealand did not make this rule. Their focus was on certifying woolen carpets, but the organization owned another group called Woolsafe. Woolsafe marketed laboratory testing and certifications for detergents, spotters, and protectors. They had approved a product with a PH of 13.5, but according to a study performed in 2004, Woolsafe did not approve some products with a PH of 6.5 because they were too alkaline. The IICRC commissioned Dr. Al Luedtke, a chemist, wrote a white paper on carpet cleaning and PH to address these contradictory recommendations. Dr. Luedtke pointed out that the PH of a product alone was an insufficient measurement of its compatibility with a fiber. However, the myth of the 10.0 rule persists. PH and Carpet CleaningScience lesson aside, why does PH matter? Well, choosing an appropriate PH level ensures the effectiveness of the solution’s cleaning ability without damaging fibers or dyes in your carpet. Carpets are made up of different materials which means a solution that helps clean one thing may actually damage another. In general, carpets will suffer from oily soils, which require alkaline solutions to remove. Some soils need to be cleaned with solutions that are more acidic. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) recommends that carpets in residential homes should be cleaned with carpet solutions whose PH is between 8 and 10. Commercial areas like restaurants, can use cleaning solutions with higher alkalinity, from 12 upwards. Work with Alpine CleanersTo avoid causing damage to your carpets, professional carpet cleaners will identify the fibers used in your carpets and select the cleaning solution and method that is most appropriate for the job. Most carpets today are synthetic, made of nylon or polyester, so professionals tend to avoid solutions with a PH higher than 10 that can cause damage, or use an all-natural green cleaning solution. Not all damage is immediately apparent when the PH used is incorrect but it is important that your carpet cleaner knows the difference in PH levels and how to properly manage them during carpet cleaning. If you are in need of professional carpet cleaning service professional carpet cleaning service in Massachusetts, look no further than Alpine Cleaners. We have over 30 years of experience providing residential and commercial clients with comprehensive cleaning services tailored to their needs. We offer our 10-Step Premium and Green Carpet Cleaning Process that only uses healthy, all-natural, soap-free, and green cleaning solutions, as well as use truck-mounted hot water extraction to clean your carpets.
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As a homeowner, maybe you’ve been thinking lately about how to have a cleaner and a healthier home during this pandemic. Since you and your family are staying at home most of the time, there are more windows to wipe, more stains to deal with, more appliances to clean, more laundry to wash, and so much more.
But, how about your carpets? Carpets play an integral role when it comes to interior design of the house, and one of the first items to buy when you want to make your home look cozy and comfy. However, behind its homey look, it can contain many microbes such as bacteria and mites. That’s why, carpet cleaning is very essential. It is necessary to pay attention to many points about cleaning at home for hygiene purposes. Our feet which are in shoes all day long, became sweaty and dirty. When we step our feet on the carpet, this will spread the bacteria to the carpet. Leathers that are shed from our skin throughout the day or hair falling from our heads also cause the carpets to become dirty. 5 Reasons for You to Keep Your Carpets Clean
So what is “hot water extraction”? Hot Water Extraction Cleaning System Hot Water Extraction, formally known as steam cleaning, is the process of injecting a super-heated cleaning solution at pressure and extracting it back out in the same motion. Truck-mounted means the cleaning unit is mounted directly inside the truck and is powered by the truck’s V8 engine. Hot water extraction offers many advantages over other carpet cleaning methods and is an excellent choice for homeowners in Massachusetts. Read on to learn more about the benefits of hot water extraction over the other methods. Advantages of Using Hot Water Extraction Cleaning System Deeper Cleaning Using hot water extraction provides a deeper cleaning than other methods. Shampooing the carpet by using regular carpet cleaner will clean the surface, but it usually does not penetrate the fabric. The deep cleaning provided with hot water extraction is also more effective at removing odors, smells, and stains. Environmentally Friendly Hot water extraction uses hot water instead of toxic cleaning agents. You don’t have to worry about letting the kids or pets play on the carpet afterwards. People usually don’t notice the harmful effects of toxic cleaning chemicals. Kids and pets are the most affected because they spend more time playing on the carpet. No Residue When you use hot water extraction, you don’t have to worry about any residue on your carpet at all. Unlike shampooing your carpet, there is still some residue even after the carpet has dried. It’s a good idea to schedule regular carpet cleanings. You’ll appreciate the removal of stains and odors that you haven’t been able to get out yourself. Instead of using a carpet shampooer, you should hire professional carpet cleaners to use hot water extraction for the job. Carpet cleaning brings back your old carpet to life while saving your dollars on getting an immediate replacement! In the new Coronavirus reality, stay-at-home orders are becoming stressful to American parents. Aside from boredom, a sense of malaise, irritability, and crankiness that are tough to beat, it’s also harder to clean the hurricane of kids and adults' clutter. There are more dishes to watch, more food spills and stains to deal with, more toys to pack away, more appliances to clean, more dirty clothes in the laundry and so much more. While there is no one instant way to clean and organize your living space, there is a smarter way to get the job done. Alpine Cleaners, the top-rated carpet and upholstery cleaning company in Massachusetts, is very much concerned with homeowners and families. So the professional carpet cleaners team is pleased to share with you the top cleaning tips to maintain the cleanliness of your home sweet home even with kids running around. Alpine Cleaners Top Home Cleaning Tips During Home Quarantine Quarantine Cleaning Tip 1 – Get The Whole Family Involved Most of us remember doing the chores as we were growing up. Parents should also instill the same work ethic into their own children by teaching them to make a contribution to family life no matter how small it is. Giving your child chores can increase their sense of responsibility and confidence. So, if your kids are old enough, take 30 minutes as a family to clean the home together. Getting the kids involved will not only make cleaning easier and beat their boredom but will also help them develop future independence which will raise them in good stead throughout their lives. Make sure your child can do the task; if not, teach it, and don’t expect perfection. Praise their effort, give them a reward such as a hug, kind words, toys, or money if appropriate. But don’t fall into the habit of paying your child for every job they do. It’s important that they will learn that each family member has a role in keeping the household clean and organized. Quarantine Cleaning Tip 2 – Establish a Playtime Rule: Clean and Tidy after Use Teach your kids to play one toy collection at a time. Encourage them to tidy their toys up after playtime before they move on to their next playful endeavor. Keep a couple of storage containers or boxes in their play area so they can easily pack away their toys. Quarantine Cleaning Tip 3 – Assign Designated Areas Children and adults are more likely to keep their living space clutter-free if items have designated areas. Create a simple system by using labels, so they know how to fulfill your “put this away” request. Quarantine Cleaning Tip 4 – Create 3 piles: Keep, Donate and Throw Away Ask children to separate and segregate their threadbare and tight clothing, broken toys, and stuff they’re no longer using. Divide them into three categories: what they would like to keep, what to give to the charity shop, and what’s heading for the bin. Enlighten them that giving and receiving of presents is more important than keeping them forever. They can also send the unloved items to somewhere it will be appreciated. This is also a smart way to detoxify your home. Quarantine Cleaning Tip - Complete Each Task! It’s important that you complete each chore you and your kid started, rather than leaving things half-done and looking worse than before.
How to Deal with The Stubborn Stains Liquid spills like juices, chocolate, coffee, pet accidents, and kids’ scribbles are the common home messes that are inevitable. There are also some stubborn stains on fabrics that are not recommended to be cleaned by a regular vacuum cleaner or rental machines. Misuse of rental machines can lead to damage to your carpet or danger from chemicals. Most DIY solutions are ineffective at removing deep, embedded dirt, grimes, and allergens. Trust a professional cleaning service when it comes to cleaning your rugs, carpets, and couches. The benefits that will be gained in hiring professional carpet and upholstery cleaners will make the extra costs more worthwhile than renting cleaning machines. The Benefits of Professional Carpet Cleaning
Green and All-Natural Carpet Cleaning with Alpine Cleaners
Alpine cleaners is an all-natural cleaning company that uses green-certified, chemical-free, low moisture, soap-free, phosphates-free, cleaning solutions, and process that are SAFE to your kids, babies, and pets. Imagine how you feel when the job is done with these cleaning strategies, with the help of premium carpet cleaning services plus the help of your awesome kids. Having a cleaner and healthier home during this pandemic is not only cathartic but can also help you feel calmer and relieve your stress and anxiety. So start cleaning and clearing the clutter today, call professional and carpet cleaners to enjoy the living space of your life! Hiring professional carpet cleaners such as Alpine Cleaners may be considered as luxury by some residents or small business owners. They anticipate that carpet cleaning can be done by anyone. Wrong! Staying indoors doesn’t mean you are safe from air pollution. Much of the most serious air pollution that threatens one’s health comes not from the combustion of fossil fuels, industrial power plants and vehicles, but from inside our homes. For many who are not fully convinced about the benefits of professional carpet cleaning and think that hiring expert cleaners holds little to no value to their home or business hygiene, here are the compelling reasons why you should have to change the wrong mindset. Carpet Cleaning Experts Contribute Towards a Healthier Home
Combat Indoor Air Pollution During the Coronavirus Pandemic To avoid coming into contact with COVID-19, we stay indoors and take precautions. The question is, is our indoor air clean and healthy enough to inhale and protect us? Keeping our bodies minds safe is important. Good lung health is our weapon to fight the virus if we do contract it. Alpine Cleaners are concern about the air quality of our home and workplace. Feel free to contact us at (508) 755-1022. We would be happy to serve and help you fight the air pollution during this pandemic. Everyone is stuck indoors because of the health crisis nowadays. When it’s necessary to go outside, we are compelled to practice social distancing and wear face shield to keep safe and combat the spread of COVID-19.
You might be tempted to think that staying indoors means you’re safe from air pollution. But, according to research that is far from the case. Environmental Protection Agency or EPA states that the air pollution can occur indoors too. Indoor air pollution has been associated to occurrences of fatigue, dizziness and headaches. The World Health Organization refers such manifestation as “sick building syndrome.” It just shows that the air quality is something that cannot be ignored. Our homes are supposed to be the safe sanctuary – an inviting to place to rest, to rejuvenate and heal from daily stressors. But is the air we breathe inside our homes are really non-hazardous and safe? Alpine Cleaners wanted to share with you the main factors that contributing to the poor indoor air quality and how to address them for a better air quality. 9 Easy Steps to Improve the Indoor Air Quality During Covid-19 Outbreak
Alpine Cleaners want you to breathe easier, healthier and feel even more relaxed in your sanctuary – your home. |
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