What about powder or granule carpet deodorizers?

Resist the urge! 

Instead call Delta Carpet Cleaning in Berea Ohio and schedule a cleaning today!  We can add professional grade deodorizers to our detergent if you like- just ask.   Call today 216-939-8741.  Visit our website at: www.deltacarpetclean.com 

Oh but my carpet doesn't look dirty.

If it looks dirty it's too late! The soil has already 

done it's damage!

Call Delta Carpet Cleaning today and get that soil removed before it's too late!  216-939-8741

Clean It — Don’t Cover It

Eww...what is that smell?   Odors. They are everywhere. When pleasant, we might call them “scents.” When not-so-pleasant, we might call them malodors.

Odors are caused by a variety of sources. Some odors are pleasant, welcoming, such as from a fresh-cut batch of flowers or a nice, home-cooked meal. Others are not pleasant, “malodorous,” such as from an unattended cat litter box or rotting garbage left too long in a trash bin.

And when something is malodorous, you must do something about it. Sometimes, the urge is to just cover it up. That can be a very bad idea as odors just keep getting worse and worse and you eventually have a difficult situation to deal with.

You want your home to be neat, clean, and odor-free, except for odors (scents) that you introduce because they are pleasant and welcoming, such as air fresheners, perfumes, scented candles, etc. A rule of thumb is this: When it is clean and dry, there should be no odors.

Your carpet, furniture and other absorbent materials in your home, over time, become soiled and often collect odors. Normal “dusty” odors are part of life between cleaning, and routine chores keep them manageable. Yet odors from urine, feces, body perspiration, and other sources are offensive and must be removed.

There are three principles to follow when it comes to keeping your home clean and odor-free.

Remove the source

When something is deposited, spilled, or has come into contact with a surface, the first step is to remove contamination. This means scraping, rinsing or otherwise removing any odor-causing sources. The sooner you do this, the easier the job will be. An example would be blotting and removing a fresh pet “accident”, as odors will quickly become worse over time.

Clean affected areas

Once the source is removed, there is still some contamination on the surface. A thorough cleaning is important to remove any residual matter that can cause odors. Using hot water is best, if the surface can handle higher temperatures. Some furniture fabrics are heat sensitive, for example.

Deodorize and disinfect

Now it’s time to use odor-removing products, such as an approved deodorizer and/or disinfectant. This should be the final step in odor removal. Follow manufacturer directions exactly, as using too little or too much product can be counter-productive.

And never forget, your favorite cleaning professionals know how to clean and tackle tough odors. So if it's coming from your carpet or furniture -let us do the dirty work. It pays to call Delta Carpet Cleaning in Berea, Ohio  216-939-8741!!   

Visit our website www.deltacarpetclean.com for some helpful tips for dealing with pet odors

Urine Odor Removal 101

What is that smell?  

You might have uttered those words a few times, and when it happens, it is often from pet urine in carpet.
 
When left untreated, many problems can arise, the most noticeable being by the nose.
 
With carpet and other surfaces in the home, one of the toughest chores in urine odor removal is the first one — finding the location of the odor. Following your sense of smell often helps, and keeping an eye on the offending pet(s) and tracking them to the source can also work. Professionals, like your favorite carpet cleaner, have special detection devices that locate exactly where urine contamination is located.  
 
Then you must clean and treat the area. A small spotting machine with water and a small amount of detergent can remove what’s in the carpet pile, but there’s really no way to get deep down in the backing or pad where some of the urine might have penetrated. That’s something only the pros can do. But getting to a urine spot while still damp and using lots of blotting with disposable towels is a great urine removal 101 tip. Once it dries, it becomes much more challenging.
 
Remember this: If left untreated, especially if the pet continues its accident-prone activities, and urine builds up in carpet, it doesn’t really dry out. Urine crystallizes and a salt-like substance forms, which attracts moisture from the air. That’s why you notice urine odors in the summer more so than in the winter, because winter air is drier.
 
What about clothing?
 
If fresh, a normal laundering should suffice. You might want to wash separately from other garments. Wash with cold water if colorfastness is a concern, although hot water does clean better.
 
But occasionally, urine odors can persist in clothing because of the age of the contamination or other factors. When this happens, a pre-soak is necessary. Fill a sink or tub (or use a bucket if the item will fit) and fill it up with hot water. Add ¼ cup of white vinegar per gallon of water that you are using. Soak the clothes for two hours. The vinegar, being acidic, will counteract the aging urine salts that have built up.
 
Bottom line: 
      
Fresh urine contamination in carpet or clothing is easy to remove if you get to it quick. Blot the carpet, rinse with a spotting machine, but never apply products to the area because that can just make it worse. Don’t be tempted by those products on the shelf at your grocery store. For clothing, put it in the laundry right away.
 
But if odors persist there maybe more in your carpet than you think- past accidents that you were not aware of and you may need some professional help to remove them completely. Don’t delay — call your cleaning experts today. Call Delta Carpet Cleaning today to set a consultation 216-939-8741.  Visit our website for more "do-it-yourself" tips. 

Even the best dogs have accidents!

The Dangers of Soot

It doesn’t seem that dangerous. It’s just the byproduct of a fire… maybe from a chimney, a furnace puff-back, even an over-zealous gas grill. When the fire is out, you should be able to clean up the soot residue easily, right?

Not so fast! Soot has some characteristics that everyone should consider before attempting to clean. Those who perform fire damage work understand the dangers of soot. So do emergency personnel like firemen. In fact, outdoor soot is regulated by the EPA, classified as a criteria pollutant.

Consider these facts about soot.

Soot is made up of very fine carbon particles that become airborne and can remain airborne for quite some time. You must consider this if any type of fire occurs.  When it is in your breathing space, it can end up in your lungs. You may not realize it is happening, but it is, and it can cause damage to your mouth, nose, throat and, of course, where it ends up… in your lungs. And did you know that “harmless” wood smoke has many chemical similarities to cigarette smoke?

Skin contact can be dangerous. The International Agency for Research on Cancer says the specific type of hydrocarbons in soot are classified as a “known human carcinogen.” So if you do attempt any cleaning, remember that simple contact, not even breathing in residues, can be potentially harmful to you. Ventilation of affected spaces is required.

Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment is a must for the professionals, and so it should be for you if you do any of the work yourself. Qualified respiratory, skin and eye protection should be purchased.

So when you do have the unthinkable happen, such as from a fire, furnace puff-back or other source that produces soot, think carefully before proceeding.

It’s best to leave the tough work to your disaster restoration pros!

Do you have a Go Bag?

Floods, fires, high wind and other damaging events caused by inclement weather can happen anywhere, anytime and to anyone.
 
Thinking and planning ahead can give you peace of mind.
 
One great way to plan ahead is to create an emergency preparedness kit, or as some call it, a go bag, which is a backpack, small suitcase or other type of container packed with essential items you might need in the event of an emergency, especially if you are evacuated from your home.
 
While it is true odds are in your favor that you may never have to evacuate your home or relocate on a temporary basis, when it does happen, your basic needs will be cared for if you have a go bag ready to… go.
 
When you build your own go bag, remember that one size does not fit all. In other words, there is no perfect list for you or your family, just suggestions. You must base your own go bag contents on what you need.
 
What should your go bag include? Several essential items, such as:
 

• Bottles of water
• Non-perishable foods
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• First-aid kit
• Necessary medications
• Personal hygiene items
• Warm clothing
• Emergency cash
• Copies of important papers
• Any essential pet care items, such as food and leashes

 
Don’t forget other items that may not be considered if you are in a rush, such as cell phone chargers for your mobile phones, extra keys to your home
 
When you compile your food items, think protein… such as in protein bars, nuts, beef jerky, just to list a few. When you visit your local grocery store you will be surprised how many options you have available to you.
 
Some people even include battery-operated radios, whistles, pocket knives and multi-tools, butane lighters, dust masks, maps, notebook and pen or pencil, extra eyeglasses and more.  

Stay safe! 

Closet Cleaning & Organizing

Although traditionally a spring cleaning chore, cleaning and organizing a closet can be done any time of year.
 
And no, keeping the door shut isn’t the best solution to a messy, disorganized closet, although it may give you moments of sanity that quickly disappear when you venture inside for that favorite pair of pants you haven’t seen in months.
 
Here are a few quick tips on cleaning and organizing your closet.

1. Empty the closet. Take everything out. Put it in organized piles according to type, such as a pile of shoes, shirts, pants, sweaters, etc.
2. Clean all surfaces in the closet. This means a bucket of soapy water and a sponge, some paper towels or cotton cloths. This is a good time to clean the walls, shelves, every surface you can reach.
3. Inspect what needs to go back in. Take a close look at those piles of shoes, shirts, pants, sweaters, etc. Do you need all of them? Are there some items you might discard or donate to charity? Now’s the time!
4. If you are a seasonal organizer, this could be an opportunity to store away, perhaps in a basement, items you won’t need for the near future.
5. Restock the closet. Give this some thought. Hanging as many items as you can on thinner hangers saves space. Have areas in the closet where you keep items you wear more frequently and other areas for items that you wear occasionally.
6. Consider garment organizers, which are helpful in keeping items separate for seasonal use, or for specific types of events, such as formal occasions. And remember the floor space, which can be used for shoe organizers.

 
Closets are very important real estate. Take advantage of them and keep them all neat, clean and organized. Imagine… going into a closet that doesn’t scare you as you select your favorite sweater to ward off a cold evening chill. Nice thought, right?

Just another helpful tips fromy Delta Carpet Cleaning in Berea, Ohio. Call today 216-939-8741.

The True Value of a Restoration Company

When a fire, flood, water leak, mold growth or other issue that makes your home either inhabitable or just an inconvenience to deal with, you must decide “Will I clean this up myself, or hire a pro?”
 
While some small, minor “disasters” can be tackled by a do-it-yourselfer, most restoration projects are best left to the pros. Here’s why.
 
Safety
 
Obviously, keeping your family and loved ones safe is important to you. When dealing with disaster issues, what might seem like a minor issue may actually be a dangerous situation. Water damage, even from the smallest leaks, can result in mold growth. Wet materials that might seem to be drying out could hold moisture in hidden areas. Smoke from a fire can be dangerous as well.
 
Back to normal
 
Anyone that has never suffered from a loss might not understand the emotions, frustrations and feeling of hopelessness that are common during a restoration project. Using a professional company means things move along quickly, and you are back in your home or able to use damaged rooms as soon as possible. Doing it yourself can make the project drag on for days longer than necessary, often with undesirable results.
 
Insurance coverage
 
Water, fire, smoke, wind, mold… what’s covered? And what’s not? Insurance policies are difficult to interpret, yet a professional disaster restoration company works with insurance companies every day, so they are best equipped to help you through the process of dealing with insurance agents and adjusters. You want to be treated fairly and receive fair coverage from your insurance company. Having a qualified, reputable restoration contractor in your corner helps with the entire process.
 

Do what’s right. Call your disaster restoration company when you suffer any type of loss. 

 Call the certified professionals at Delta Carpet Cleaning.  216-939-8741

Do you know the difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing?

Have you ever wondered what the difference is?  Delta Carpet Cleaning can help with your cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting needs.  Call today: 216-939-8741 or visit our website: www.deltacarpetclean.com.  Thank you for visiting!