Holiday Cleaning Tips & Techniques:
Food Stains · Sap Removal · Wax Spots
Hit The Spot!
Turkey isn't the only leftover from the holidays - food and drink spills
can leave behind unsightly spots and stains on carpets and upholstery.
The
procedures and products that you use to deal with these spots often determine
whether the stains vanish or are still around next holiday season. Although
over-the-counter products are effective in many situations, for best results
purchase a ServiceMaster Carpet and Upholstery Spot Kit as a post-holiday
gift to yourself.
The ServiceMaster kit contains the proper cleaning agents to safely remove 90% of most common household spots and stains. The convenient "Dial-A-Spot" guide inside the kit offers easy-to-use steps for removing specific types of spots. Just turn the dial to the type of spot you're dealing with, and follow the directions.
Having the spotting kit on hand enables you to do a better, more thorough job in those first critical minutes after a spill or stain occurs. And, by using the appropriate cleaning agents you can reduce the risk of turning a temporary spot into a permanent stain.
To purchase a ServiceMaster Spot Kit, simply contact your local ServiceMaster cleaning professional or call 1-800-WE SERVE. At ServiceMaster, we love to be put on the spot!
Getting
Steamed Over Wax?
Your
holiday table looked so festive and inviting in the glow of all those
candles. But when the lights came back on, the first thing you noticed
was the hardened wax on the carpet from the dripping candles.
Pulling the wax won't work you'll only tear the carpet fibers. Scrubbing won't help, either, and water does little good. But here's a hot hint from ServiceMaster that may do the trick.
First, you'll need a steam iron and an old white towel. (We mean really old -- you'll have to throw it away after you're through!)
| Step #1: | Open the white towel flat. |
| Step #2: | Place the white towel on the carpet directly over the top of the wax. |
| Step #3: | Set the steam iron on a moderate setting and plug it in to warm. |
| Step #4: | When the steam iron is warm, place it on top of the towel directly over the wax spot. Immediately move the iron back and forth over the spot. (The iron should never come in direct contact with the carpet, only with the towel.) As the wax warms, it will begin to transfer from the carpet onto the towel. |
| Step #5: | As soon as you see a spot on the towel, shift the towel so that a clean area is over the spot. Never stop moving the steam iron over the area. Repeat this procedure as the wax absorbs onto the towel. |
| Step #6: | When no further wax absorbs, check the carpet. You've removed the wax! |
Hot wax from colored candles may actually stain the carpet. Although this happens instantly when the wax drops and the stain can be very difficult to remove, there is hope!
ServiceMaster carpet experts have several products (not available over the counter) in their arsenals that can help remove various types of dyes like the ones used to color candles. Call your local ServiceMaster office or call 1-800-WE SERVE to get your cleaning problems ironed out.
Are
Christmas Trees Sapping You ?
Did your beautiful Christmas tree zap your carpet with sap? ServiceMaster
can help.
Our
first aid kits contain a solvent-based spotter that has been successful
in removing stubborn tree sap from carpets. Just pour a little solvent
on a towel and work the product into the carpet with a gentle, rubbing
motion. But be careful! Too much rubbing can untwist the carpet fibers
and create a fuzzy look. And, soaking the carpet with too much solvent
can soften the latex that bonds the tufts to the backing material, causing
the carpet to peel away.
When most of the sap has been removed, try rinsing any remaining traces from the carpet with hot water. If needed, you can repeat the process. Rinse and dry the carpet after each attempt.
To talk over this or any other cleaning challenge with a ServiceMaster professional. just call 1-800-WE SERVE. We'll have the closest ServiceMaster service provider call you and arrange an appointment to discuss any cleaning problems that are sapping your energy!
