Proper Cleaning Tools for the Home

The Proper Cleaning Tools for Your Home

The floors in our homes are one of the most important contributors to a bright, clean, and healthy domestic atmosphere. Keeping them in excellent condition is a matter of having the right tools for the job and access to support from qualified professional floor cleaning companies. Here are a few simple tips to follow for your floor cleaning needs.

#1. Find the Right Vacuum Cleaner

Not all vacuum cleaners are created equal, and some are specialized for different tasks. A vacuum or attachment with rotating brushes and high suction power is designed to get into the dense fibers of a thick carpet and get at ground-in dirt particles. A brush head with short, stiff bristles is made to pick up dirt from hardwood floors without scratching. It’s important to know what kinds of attachments any purchased vacuum comes with and what they do. An online comprehensive guide to vacuum attachments is a good place to start.

It’s also important to know what size, weight, and style of vacuum is best-suited to your needs and cleaning schedule. A heavy-duty upright vacuum is best for frequent and extensive cleaning jobs, while a lightweight canister vacuum can provide more mobility, greater portability, and ease of use for those who need to clean smaller, more spatially-restricted areas. Consider the nature of your space and ask your dealer which type is best suited to your needs.

#2. Make Use of DIY Floor Cleaners in a Pinch… If You Can Find the Right One

Ideally, DIY floor cleaning solutions are best avoided as being too unpredictable in their cleaning results and their effects on your floor. Sometimes, however, life happens.

When you absolutely need to mop your non-carpeted floor surfaces and there are no specialized floor cleaners in the closet, DIY floor cleaner solutions can present an attractive option. This, however, comes with two very important caveats:

• Make sure to spot test any DIY solution before cleaning your floor with it. Not all DIY solutions are made with all surfaces in mind, even if they claim to be “multi-surface.” Also, some DIY “recipes” seem alarmingly based on hearsay, and the unwary can wind up with a gelatinous mass on their floors instead of a “cleaner.”
• Don’t over-rely on DIY cleaning solutions. As an occasional emergency stop-gap, DIY solutions can be agreeable, but for any long-term cleaning it’s best to have a professional’s assessment of which solutions will preserve the quality and luster of your floor service.

With all of that said, some DIY solutions can be effective for short-term use.

#3. When to Use DIY Carpet Cleaning

Renting a carpet cleaner for occasional do-it-yourself carpet cleaning can be a good option for extending the life of your carpets in certain circumstances. There are a few important things to keep in mind:

• This option is most viable for very light cleaning.

  If you’re doing a quick pass over for your carpets at intervals of a few months, and the carpets aren’t showing traffic patterns and ground-in dirt, a rented carpet cleaner should meet your needs. If, on the other hand, it’s been a year or more since your carpet was cleaned, or if your carpet sees considerable traffic, a rental unit is likely to be of limited usefulness. Also keep in mind…

• It’s important to be careful about the details, and there are lots of details to keep track of.

  Using too much solution, making too few vacuum passes, or using the wrong solution for your carpet type can all spell disaster for your carpet. If you don’t feel you have command of these details — and if your rental outlet can’t provide guidance that makes you feel confident — then it’s probably best to book professional carpet cleaning services. It simply isn’t worth risking the long-term viability of your carpets to “save” a few dollars. In the long run, specialist care is a money-saver, as well as being more convenient.

For serious cleaning jobs, you should contact qualified carpet cleaning specialists to make sure the job gets done right and that your floors are properly cared for. Kiwi Services is a trusted and IICRC certified company with friendly, knowledgeable staff and a reputation for excellence. We provide both residential and commercial service, working to a 100% Clean Standard, and provide a year of $7 per room warranty cleanings with every carpet cleaning of $120 or more. Visit our website and contact us today!