Top Tips To Remove Bed Bugs From Carpets
Did you or someone you know get what look like bed bug bites while they were in the living room or study? Bed bugs do not only exist in mattresses, but sometimes carpets and other plush items as well. If you have the feeling that there may be bed bugs lurking in your carpets, it’s best to check and clean them out before you get bitten twice. Aside from engaging a professional carpet cleaning service, you can also try it on your own. Here are our top tips for removing bed bugs from carpets.
Ensure Other Household Items Are Not Infested
Carpets are not the first thing we think of cleaning when we think of removing bed bugs – for good reason. Usually, carpets are the last thing you would look at, because they are not a bed bug’s first choice. Bed bugs typically prefer mattresses or furniture with many cracks or corners. The best thing you can start with doing is to check your other furniture in the room – sofas, armchairs, or any other cushions, bedding, clothing, and plush items – and make sure the bed bugs are not hiding in there. Do also check the corners of walls for cracks where bed bugs may be hiding. Usually this is a straightforward matter of spraying them with bed bug spray or tea tree oil and leaving until the bed bugs are dead, or putting the items such as bedding and clothing in the laundry. You also need to remove all these other items from your room before you clean your carpet.
Clean Them Out Fast
Do not take your time by attempting to clean different areas of your room bit by bit. Bed bugs breed quickly – female bed bugs lay between 5 and 8 eggs a week, and 50 eggs in their lifetime. The life cycle of a bed bug is usually between 40 and 70 days, so you can imagine that if you take a few weeks to clean your room there may just be some new bed bugs waiting for you.
Use Double Sided Tape
It may seem like a common item, but double sided tape is like an easy trap for bed bugs – they crawl onto it and get stuck to it. Bed bugs can’t fly, only crawl, so if you put double sided tape in places where they cannot avoid it, such as cracks or corners in the wall, you are likely to catch a number of bed bugs that way. You should also use double sided tape to seal your room before cleaning your carpets.
Dehydrate Them
Silica gel is a great way to kill bed bugs, because it scratches at the protective surface on the bug’s shell which helps them to retain moisture, hence causing them to dehydrate. Another, natural substitute is diatomaceous earth. If you pour a thick layer of this all over your room and carpet, and leave it for 24 hours or as long as you feel comfortable, this would likely kill the bed bugs.
Steam Them
Bed bugs are highly susceptible to heat damage, so steam cleaning is a great option if you prefer to get rid of them thoroughly using high heat. To get this done professionally with powerful steam machines, contact Reilly’s Oriental Rug Cleaning.
Vacuuming Them Does Not Mean Killing Them
Did you vacuum your bed bugs up? Great job! Now, you may want to think about what to do next to dispose of them. Do note that bed bugs can live up to a year in the vacuum bag before dying of starvation – so if you open that bag anytime soon after removing them, you may be in for a surprise. Keep them in the bag so they can’t escape, and outdoors so they don’t come back in.
Reduce Allergic Reactions With Professional Carpet Cleaning Services
If you have a pet in the house, or keep your windows and doors open in the summer, over time there will be an accumulation of dust, dirt, pet dander and other microparticles that get lodged into the carpets in your home. Individuals with asthma are most likely to be affected by this as they are exceptionally susceptible to impurities in the air. Carpets are a large part of people’s everyday lives, homes and offices, and need to be cleaned in order to maintain the health and well-being of ourselves and our families. Cleaning carpets by yourself is a good way to maintain the cleanliness of your home, but when allergies are coming up even despite the cleaning, it’s time to get professional carpet cleaning to improve the quality of life for your self and your loved ones.
Causes For Allergies
People may have long term allergies or seasonal allergies. They may also have mild allergies that do not surface until they come into contact with a serious reaction, or strong allergies that show up the moment they breathe in dust. These are some reasons why people may get allergies:
- Pet fur and dander
- Dust and dirt from the everyday environment
- Debris from nearby construction works
- Summer pollen in the air
No matter the reason, these allergies mean a sensitivity to the environment and it is best to clean your home interior of dust to provide a clean and healthy space to live in. One great way to do that will be to get your carpets professionally cleaned.
Professional Carpet Cleaning Process
So how exactly does professional carpet cleaning help with the cleaning process? Here’s a step by step process of what happens when you send your capets to a professional cleaner.
- Carpets will be inspected by professionals to determine the condition and what type of cleaning services are needed. At this stage it is also possible to identify repairs or other work needed on the carpets, should you opt for them. Most of the time, a regular clean is sufficient.
- Carpets are put through a roll-a-jet machine to ensure a deeper, more thorough clean than can be done by human hands. Biodegradable cleaning solution is applied by a series of oscillating jets which flush out soil, with scrub rollers gently agitating the pile of the carpet to dislodge deeply embedded dirt and debris.
- The carpet is rinsed in fresh water to remove the last of the dirt and cleaning solution. It then goes through a pressure roller to squeeze out the water.
- The carpet is brought to a dry room where warm air is circulated to dry it. Temperature and humidity levels are also closely monitored to ensure carpets are dried properly.
- After drying, carpets are vacuumed with a pile lifter to remove any lint and hair, as well as to restore the fluffy look of the carpet.
- Once the cleaning is complete, carpets are rolled and wrapped in paper, ready for delivery or pickup.
For reliable, professional carpet cleaning services, look no further than Reilly’s Oriental Rug Cleaning. Contact us today for a non-obligatory consultation!
How To Maintain Oriental Rug Edges
The main part of the beauty and aesthetic appeal of oriental rugs is their design and quality, which usually is what makes the money worth spending on these timeless art pieces. However, this doesn’t mean that you should forget about the rug edges, as the moment the edges start fraying, it can lend an overall tired look to your gorgeous rug. The first thing you need to do if you notice the edges of your rug are fraying is to send your rug for repairs, and to take steps to reinforce your rug edges from breaking down because it shows that the rug is no longer in good condition. But what can you do to maintain oriental rug edges? Read on to find out more about rug repair and restoration.
Send Rug For Re-Stitching
For rugs which have begun to fray, it’s a good sign that the edges need reinforcement. It means the rug has already been around for quite a long while, or has withstood substantial environmental or seasonal effects. Oriental rugs are delicate and expensive, so this is certainly not a task for just anybody. You should certainly look for an experienced and professional rug repair company that can get the rug properly stitched. What the company will do is to ensure the rug edges are re-stitched with what is known as an ‘overcast stitch’, using very sturdy thread that is designed to hold thick rugs and maintain their edges. This will enable your rug to last and maintain its appearance for much, much longer.
Understand Rug Edge Type
All rugs are different, and depending on the material, fabric used, height of pile, base, weight, and other factors, there may be different ways in which you need to handle the situation. Most of the time, your rug would be stitched by hand, instead of using any machinery, in order for the job to be done to the best standard possible and so the stitching will last very long.
Preventing Rug Edge Fraying
Aside from repairing your rug, you can also take steps to make sure that there is a lower chance of these edges fraying. By taking such measures, you can do your part to ensure the longevity of your precious rug.
- Rugs on the walls, for obvious reasons, last much longer than rugs on the floor. But it doesn’t mean that floor rugs don’t last long – quality rugs will go a long way as long as they are properly cleaned and cared for. If you use your oriental rug as a floor rug, be sure to send it for professional cleaning and care every so often.
- Prevent twisting or bending the ends of rugs. Often this may happen without our knowledge, for example when it is bent by furniture legs. Avoid putting furniture on or near the ends of carpets so you can prevent lots of friction on those areas regardless.
- If you have pets, you may want to avoid having expensive rugs! Animals that are allowed to roam around the house, such as cats or dogs, may bite or scratch at your rugs and you won’t be able to let them last for very long. If you do have pets but still want to keep an oriental rug, you may want to hang your rug on the wall or somewhere out of reach of your pets.
Dealing With Color Runs On Oriental Rugs
Oriental rugs are timeless art pieces, often hand sewn by meticulous craftsmen, bearing wonderfully intricate designs sure to catch the eye of every guest who enters your home. Some people put their oriental rugs on the walls, others on the floors. But over time, especially as you wash your rug to get the accumulated dust and dirt out, you may encounter problems such as color runs on your rug. With such detailing on the rug, any color run does make a significant difference to the look of the rug. To maintain your oriental rug as a long term investment, we will share with you some tips for dealing with color runs.
How To Identify A Color Run
A color run refers to a situation when one hue on the rug bleeds outside of its lines and goes into another color section of the rug. You can tell when your rug has a color run by observing the threads. Sometimes it is very obvious when the color is bleeding over to another section. Usually, this happens with darker colors going into lighter colored territories. These incidents can really cause the design on your rug to go out of shape and damage the overall look of your priceless art piece.
Rugs may face this situation for various reasons. Sometimes, it can be due to poor quality of the materials such as the threads or dyes used. Other times, there may be an excess of dyes used on the rug to make it look very vibrant on purchase.
How To Repair A Damaged Rug
If you’re worrying that your rug is ruined forever – don’t be. Color runs can be fixed, or reversed. It is not an easy task, however, and certainly not something you should try on your own. If you are keen on reversing the damage done to your precious rug, be sure to call a professional company for rug cleaning and care so they can determine what are the appropriate steps to take to care for your rug.
How To Prevent Color Runs From Happening
Before getting into a disastrous situation with a damaged carpet and having to seek help from a rug cleaning professional, you can also take steps to make sure the rug doesn’t get damaged to begin with.
- Test wash your rug before washing it yourself. Generally, you would be advised if your rug requires drycleaning or if you can wash it yourself. If the latter is true, it is advisable that you do a spot test on your rug to check if it holds up in the wash. If washing just a tiny corner of your rug already causes color bleeding, your rug clearly cannot be washed at home and you should seek alternative cleaning solutions.
- Check frequently for color runs. Look over your rug in natural light conditions, such as near a window or outdoors, to see if the color is starting to run. It’s best if you can catch the problem at the beginning before it spreads too much.
- Seek advice on your rug from a professional. Rug cleaning and care companies would have expert advice on how to take care of your rug, what type of materials it’s made of, what you can use to clean it, and much more.
You don’t have to go on this oriental rug care journey alone. With the right advice and support, you can maintain the pristine condition of your rug for decades to come.
Can You Save Water Damaged Rugs?
Water damage is very serious when it happens to your rugs. If you’re very lucky, you would spot water damage happening as it was not happening in a concealed area. But often, if it is due to a leaky pipe, tap, or dripping air conditioning vent, water damage is not noticeable until the drip has been ongoing for a long time, until it starts spreading throughout the rug. In that case, the water has been soaking the rug for a long time, weakening the fibers of the rug and also allowing for mold and mildew to set in, causing the air quality in your home or office to drop considerably and potentially harm the health of your family or co-workers. The worst case of course is when rugs and other personal possessions become severely wet due to flooding. When your rugs are damaged by water, can they be salvaged? Here’s our take on what you can do to save water damaged rugs, depending on various factors.
Type Of Water
One important question that professionals will ask or check for when inspecting rugs damaged by water is whether the damage was caused by clean or contaminated water. If the water is clean, such as that from a burst pipe, there is a high chance that you can still save it. However, if your rug was dirtied by storm water coming in from outdoors where there is a ton of dirt and soil, or water from a clogged toilet for example, it is recommended that you throw away the rug as it is contaminated. Professional cleaning is usually not worth the expense to attempt to restore rugs from this kind of contamination.
Length Of Time Soaked
A rug that has been soaked in water for more than 48 hours would have a high chance of posing a serious health hazard. EPA, FEMA, CDC and other remediation standards recommend that you remove and replace your rug in that case, so as to prevent mold, bacteria and other toxins from taking hold in your space. While removing these items, it is crucial that you wear eye protection and breathing masks, as well as rubber gloves. On the other hand, a rug that was wet for less than 48 hours would likely benefit from a cleaning and disinfecting by a professional carpet cleaner.
Type Of Rug
One other thing you can check is if your area rug uses foam backing or not. For area rugs without foam backing, which got soaked with clean water and were dried within 48 hours, they can usually be effectively cleaned with no problems. Depending on the type of rug also, it may require hot water extraction and deep cleaning to really get it in a good condition. However, area rugs with foam backing should generally be thrown away as long as it gets soaked. For wall-to-wall carpets, these are difficult to dry or clean properly, especially if you try to do it yourself. Your best bet is to call a professional carpet cleaning service to see what best can be done for your rug.
Avoid Using Harmful Carpet Cleaning Chemicals
The majority of homes, offices and public or private buildings would certainly have carpeted floors. While carpets instantly beautify a space, as well as offer comfort and add to the ambience, they do need to be regularly cleaned – and this very cleaning may inadvertently be causing harm to people’s health, through the toxins in the chemicals used for carpet cleaning. According to a recent report, the average household contains 62 toxic chemicals or their residues. Toxic chemicals lurking around your house can be dangerous to your self and family members, exposing your household to noxious fumes, toxins, bacteria and chemicals causing asthma attacks, reproductive disorders, nerve damage, hormone disruption, and worst of all, cancer.
The most damaging of toxic chemicals can cause problems with skin, especially in young children or infants, though adults are not spared neither. Some of these include skin irritation, rashes, or problems with respiratory systems as the chemicals are breathed in and enter the body. Families with young toddlers, or pets such as dogs, should be even more cautious about carpet cleaning chemicals like these being embedded into their carpets, especially as dogs and toddlers or infants may have the habit still of putting things from off the carpet directly into their mouths. What are the chemicals you want to avoid?
Types Of Harmful Chemicals
- Ammonia: Can burn mucous membranes and aggravate asthma.
- Glycol ethers: Found in many cleaning products such as glass cleaners; linked to anemia, kidney damage and lung damage in people and pets.
- Formaldehyde: Can be found in soaps, as well as pet shampoos.
Older carpets have a higher chance of chemical interaction between different chemicals which can be more toxic than ever. So do be careful when choosing cleaning solutions or selecting a professional company to clean the carpets in your home.
Professional Carpet Cleaning Chemicals
Most professional cleaning companies will use chemicals to clean the carpets, and many of them are not or not yet committed to using eco-friendly products only. They may be using any or a combination of these chemicals:
- Butoxy Ethanol: Linked to liver and kidney damage, can be breathed in or touched.
- Naphthalene: Derived from coal tar, often used as pesticide. Popularly used to dissolve ground dirt in carpeting. May cause liver damage, nerve damage. vomiting and mental confusion.
- Hydrofluoric Acid and Nitrilotriacetic Acid: Used to restore pH balance after using strong alkaline cleaning products. Can burn skin and eyes, irritate skin or mucous membranes. May even cause blindness.
- Perchloroethylene: A dry cleaning solution. Can cause drowsiness, headaches, nausea and skin inflammation.
Family- and Pet-Friendly Carpet Care
With young children or animals about your house, you most likely would prefer to engage a carpet cleaning company for their expertise if they are using eco-friendly products that do not leave behind toxic residue after the cleaning, which may cause lingering issues in your home. Speak to a carpet cleaning professional such as Reilly’s Oriental Rug Cleaning to ensure your house can be clean and also be safe for your young ones.
All You Need To Know About Grout
Grout is used everywhere in the home to lock out moisture or prevent water leakages and damage. If your house has tiles, you’ll be using a lot of grout, which may get dirty over time. If this is the case, you may consider having your tiles and grout professionally cleaned. Let’s have a look at a few of the basic aspects of grout.
Types Of Grout
There are a few types of grout available out there, and different types are used for different purposes. Here are the most common types you would use:
- Epoxy – The most durable of all grout choices. Epoxy, used indoors, is resistant to stains and water damage. Highly durable, it will withstand harsh chemical cleaners and last for a very long time. This type of grout is best used in areas with a lot of moisture or food, such as in bathrooms or the kitchen. If used on exterior applications, however, epoxy may fade or turn yellow in color.
- Sanded – A cement-based grout with sand added to the mixture. The inclusion of sand creates a bond within the grout, adding to its durability so that it becomes resistant to cracking or shrinking. It also increases friction and reduces danger of slipping. Sanded grout is most suitable for grout lines wider than 1/8th of an inch.
- Non-sanded – Also cement-based, but without sand added. Easy to work with on vertical walls as they tend to stay in place during application. Non-sanded grout is most suitable for grout lines between 1/16th and 1/8th of an inch.
Sealing Grout
Aside from epoxy, which inherently contains a sealing agent, it is necessary to seal your grout. This is especially true in moisture-prone areas or if your grout is light-colored. You can usually choose between spray on and applicator sealers. There are two types of sealers available as well. One is penetrating grout sealer which is the most effective sealant as it soaks through the grout and creates a barrier impossible to penetrate by moisture. The other type is a membrane sealer which puts a layer over your grout, but is not as effective and may cause moisture to be trapped underneath your grout. Do check every few years to see if your grout needs to be replaced.
Choosing Grout Color
While most people will go for a neutral color, or white, you can also go for a dark color if your tiles or surrounding materials are dark. Some people also choose to contrast instead of match their grout to their tiles, to create intriguing patterns or looks. Darker grout may stain light colored tiles (which you can try to clean using grout release), and light grout may stain easily and be harder to maintain the look of.
Knowing about grout will help you know what to look for when you need to seal some areas in your house, such as pipes (use epoxy), cracks in the walls on the interior or exterior, cracks in between tiles, and much more. If you need to clean the tiles or grout in your home, call Reilly’s for a professional cleaning solution!