 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 Myth In 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 Cleaning Science 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 Cleaners To 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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 Fresh indoor air tends to disappear during the winter season. This is because the windows are usually closed because of the lower temperature outside. Ironically, homeowners tend to worry about the unhealthy outdoors when the air indoors is almost worse for them. They also primarily focus on keeping their home at a comfortable temperature instead of keeping their indoor air quality fresh and clean.
How Winter Weather Contributes To Indoor Air Quality Problems More Insulation When the temperatures become lower, homeowners are more cognizant of all the air leaks around their home. They tightly seal any cracks in insulation that could allow drafts into the home. Drafts are usually around windows, doors, rim joists, and where pipes and wires enter the house. As a result, the home seals off from any fresh air and increase the concentrations of both pollutants and allergens in the home. Improving insulation around the home increases comfort and lower heating bills. But, the downside is a decreased indoor air quality. If the contaminants are trapped in your home, they gather and multiply quickly. Trapping air will lead to unhealthy conditions especially if you have a weak immune system. Combustion Gases and Smoke Oil, gas, cigarette smoke, coal, kerosene, wood, and any other combustion sources can lead to indoor air pollution Appliances such as wood-burning stoves, water heaters, fireplaces, dryers, and stoves that use any of these fuels can lead to indoor air pollution and other residential contaminants. Dirt and Dust The dust circulation causes clogged air filters and indoor air quality problems. Researchers have discovered that dust and particles quickly fall into a horizontal surface. When airborne particles settle on hard or smooth floors, they spread easily and allergens can be redistributed through the air over and over. Carpets act as dirt traps until they were vacuumed. The air above carpet contains fewer allergens and dust mites than the air above hard surfaces. Carpet is an asset that holds allergens out of the air until they are vacuumed away. So the carpet must be vacuumed and cleaned often enough. Maintaining Good Indoor Air Quality Is Important During Winter
Your Indoor Air Is Important To Us! Vacuuming of your carpet is important to the removal of indoor contaminants. Alpine Cleaners highly recommend vacuuming on a regular basis especially with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filtered vacuum. These HEPA vacuums are more effective compared to conventional vacuums. This filter will help improve indoor air quality by trapping allergens like pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. We provide professional deep carpet cleaning service to ensure your home and carpet are fresh, clean and allergy-free this winter.  The majority of homeowners rely on the traditional methods of carpet cleaning to address common carpet nightmares. They trust powerful chemicals and additives thinking that they can easily clean the carpet and achieve what they call “effective stain removal.” The use of harsh and dangerous chemicals used to be the prime approach, to achieve carpet cleaning goals.
This isn’t the case anymore. Today, there’s a whole range of various options, and they are not just doing wonders for your carpet, but also for your health and environment. People are more environmentally conscious than they have ever been before. With Alpine Cleaners’ Green carpet cleaning method, you can rest assured that all care is being taken to protect the environment. Alpine Cleaners use all natural, safe, soap-free, green cleaning products leaving carpet fibers cleaner and healthier. Green cleaning is the heart of our Carpet Cleaning process. You can rest assured that our cleaning solutions are safe for your family and for your pets. Traditional Methods of Carpet Cleaning Vs. Green Carpet Cleaning Traditional methods of carpet cleaning involve the use of detergents, shampoos, soaps and strong solvents to remove stains and dirt from carpet fibers. The chemicals used in this approach are extremely powerful and can achieve high-quality results. In the past this was the only way to effectively clean carpets because the safe, natural products didn’t work well. Some people still believe this is the case today. These people are mistaken! Not only are our products safe and environmentally friendly, the results are much better than soap based cleaning chemicals. Our products are soap free and leave no sticky residue in your carpet or upholstery. In the rival of green vs. traditional, green definitely comes out on top. Why is Green Carpet Cleaning better? Traditional cleaning agents typically contain strong, harsh, and toxic chemicals. Direct contact may cause irritation and allergy for family and pets. Likewise, the lingering fumes can result to dizziness and headaches. These powerful chemicals also need a prolonged water rinse that can soak the carpet and pad leading to a long drying period and bacteria infestation. Also, the abrasive chemicals are considered damaging to the environment. Green Carpet Cleaning approaches don’t use dangerous chemicals. Instead, the cleansers are hypoallergenic, soap-free, odor free, and safe for people and pets. There are no harmful fumes and the cleaning solution can be extracted easily for faster drying times. These methods use natural, earth-friendly solutions and non-toxic chemicals. You don’t need to worry about any harmful consequences as the water-based cleansers are absolutely biodegradable and safe. Alpine Cleaners, the top rated carpet cleaners in MA are able to get fantastic results without putting anyone at risk. The Benefits of Going GREEN Improved air quality is one of the most notable things about going green. Anyone who has ever used the traditional chemical agents to do cleaning will know the smell that they tend to live in the air long after they used. In fact, manufacturers recommend ventilation and non-contact with the skin because of the danger they pose. Lung, eye, and skin irritations are one of the ailments that are results of traditional carpet cleaning which can be quite severe. The Green approach is not using these chemicals meaning less risk to those living in the homes being cleaned. If you are anxious about your family’s health, pets and environment you may want to select GREEN Carpet Cleaning approach over the traditional methods. Our mission Our mission is to help people live cleaner and healthier. Whether we’re cleaning carpets, rugs, upholstery, tile and grout or removing pet stains and odors – dedication and commitment to that missions show in everything we do. And that is why we have become the premier carpet cleaning company in Massachusetts.  Goodnight. We say this at the end of everyday and then hop into bed.
We have probably spent over 25% of our life sleeping. With that much of our life spent in bed, it makes sense that a clean, fresh, and comfortable mattress can go a long way toward mitigating stress, pressure and improving our health. A good night sleep starts with a good bed. Mattresses deserve proper care just like how our body and mind needs great sleep. Did you ever clean your mattress? (I hope your answer is yes) If not, you are doing the dust mites a favor; letting them live and reproduced undisturbed. Mattresses not only accumulate dust mites, but also gather dust, skin oil, shed skin flakes, various bodily fluids, hair and sweat. Added to that are the indoor pollution, pet dander and allergens. Your mattress is RIPE for a cleaning. Carpet and upholstery cleaners in Worcester MA are here to give you the best tips on how to keep your bedroom mattress fresh and clean. So if you are ready to achieve a far more enjoyable and good night sleep, be sure to apply and follow these tips. Note: You should clean your mattress every six months at least, however, it is recommended to do it each season. Mattress Care: Ways to Keep Your Mattress in Fresh and Clean General Cleaning and Odor Removal
Natural Cleaning Solutions for Various Stains and Spots Vomit Children all seem to vomit in bed at one time or another. Use a mix of a 50/50 solution of water and white vinegar and place in a spray bottle. Spray the spotted area of the mattress and blot with a clean towel. Repeat spraying and blotting until the mark is gone. Then, sprinkle a little bit of baking soda over the treated area. Vacuum away the baking soda after an hour. Let the mattress air dry. Urine and Sweat Mix together 1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 3 tablespoons of baking soda and just a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap. Then, Stir until the baking soda dissolves. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, and then spray the entire stained area of the mattress, allowing the solution soak into the mark. Lastly leave the solution to air dry for at least an hour. To speed things up, you use a blowing fan near the mattress or a blow dryer on the cool setting. Blood Use 3% of hydrogen peroxide and spray the bloodstain. Use a clean towel to blot. Just repeat spraying and blotting the stain until it is gone. Dry the mattress by using blow dryer. “Bonus Tips” *Other ways to take care your mattress properly
Alpine Cleaners is offering a special on mattress cleaning for the month of March! For every bedroom we clean, you get 50% off an anti-allergen mattress cleaning in that room! |
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