Quick-10 Asks, "Will Your Carpet Survive The Winter?"
"Will your carpets survive the winter?" That's the question being asked by the manufacturer of Quick-10 Carpet, Upholstery and Laundry Stain Remover. "We're only half way through the winter, but this year's unusually harsh weather in much of the country may already be taking a toll on your carpet's appearance and lifespan," says InstaGone Consumer Products president Peter Chicarielli. Chicarielli advises home and business owners alike to take corrective action before the weather breaks to protect their investments. "No matter how carefully you wipe your feet this winter, your carpets will quickly become loaded with embedded dirt, dust and allergens." Here are Chicarielli's Worst Winter Carpet Culprits:
Sand, rock salt and calcium chloride ice melting products are easily tracked onto carpets. Even if you wipe your feet, liquefied salt and calcium chloride gets tracked in and solid particles remain lodged in the soles of shoes only to be re-deposited into the carpet. The surfaces of tar and asphalt driveways break down slightly as they freeze and thaw. Rock salt and other ice melting products accelerate this process. The result is a black residue that when wet, tracks easily onto carpets and gives them a dingy appearance.
Pets spend more time indoors. Therefore, shedding as well as accidents that cause pet stains and odors are more prevalent. Multiple pets increase the stain and odor problem.
Cold weather causes people to "lock down" their homes, which locks in musty air and odors. Carpets can absorb these odors and emit them back into the air.
Even the best ventilated wood burning fireplaces add tiny creosote particles to the air which eventually settle onto carpets and upholstery to give them a grimy appearance.
Some people compensate for winter mustiness by using powder deodorizers. "I don't recommend them," says Chicarielli, "These powders work their way into the carpet pile and don't get totally removed by vacuuming. They get kicked up into the air every time you vacuum. This can be very problematic for people with allergies."
"With all the abuse that America's carpets are expected to take this winter, Chicarielli says they may need special attention prior to spring cleaning. "Waiting until April or May can result in irreversible fiber damage or deeply set stains." Chicarielli offers 5 Quick-Tips which should make spring cleaning a lot easier.
1.If your vacuum leaves a lot of dirt behind, it may be time to buy a new one. Check out product reviews and buy the best one you can afford. A thorough carpet cleaning requires an agitating brush feature and strong suction.
2.Vacuum the same area several times and from different directions to ensure that you capture as much trapped dirt, dust and allergens as possible.
3. Pre-treat all visible spots and stains with a proven, enzyme-fortified spot remover such as Quick-10. Repeat the process on stubborn or deeply set stains. When treating pet stains and odors, work Quick-10 deep into the carpet to remove all traces of stains and odors, especially those caused by urine or hair balls.
4.Shampoo your entire carpet with an extraction-type home carpet cleaning appliance or a rental carpet cleaning machine. Quick-10 can be used in these machines with superior results and for a fraction of the cost of other carpet cleaning products.
5.Don't forget your cars, SUVs and RV's! Your vehicle's carpets and floor mats are susceptible to the ravages of winter stains too. Keep in mind that time is of the essence. You'll want to remove all winter dirt and grime from your vehicle's carpet and upholstery before the weather gets warm and the stains are baked in.
If you don't get satisfactory results from following these 5 Quick-Tips for winter carpet care, Chicarielli recommends calling a professional carpet cleaning service in the spring. They use ...hot water extraction equipment that is vastly superior to anything the consumer can readily buy. We've been supplying Quick-10 to professional cleaning contractors for years. Many already use Quick-10 in their machines because it works so well.
