How to Clean Velvet Upholstery

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clean velvet upholstery

Who doesn’t love the beauty and luxuriousness of rich, velvet upholstery? No one! But this upholstery can be one of the trickiest types to clean. Stains don’t only stick to the surface of the velvet, they also coat the individual fibers and seep into the backing, causing quite a mess! So how do you clean a velvet sofa, chair, or ottoman? Follow these tips to find out how to clean velvet upholstery.

What type of velvet is your upholstery?
If your upholstery is synthetic velvet (or velveteen), you should be able to DIY it without too much trouble. If, however, the velvet is made from cotton, silk, or wool, you may want to call in an expert. Cotton velvet is especially finicky, and the fibers can bunch and kink when they come into contact with soap, water, or cleaning solutions.

To get stains out of synthetic velvets:
Clean the fabric as soon as possible after staining occurs. Do not allow the stain to dry on its own, as it will set into the fabric and become much harder to clean. With a clean cloth or towel, gently press the stain to absorb any moisture and wipe away any loose debris. Prepare a mixture of lukewarm water and dish soap, then apply the suds to the stain. Rinse by dabbing with a damp, soap-free cloth. Allow the velvet to dry and then gently brush it.

For regular maintenance:
Clean your velvet upholstery with a furniture brush to remove dirt, lint, and fuzz. Vacuum regularly with the furniture attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Velveteen can be safely steam cleaned. For cotton, silk, or wool velvet, check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

If you’re not sure whether your upholstery is synthetic velveteen or natural fiber velvet, you’re likely better off calling a professional upholstery cleaning service to handle the job. If you live in the Asheville, NC area, we would be happy to help you with your velvet couch, chair, or other furniture.

Give us a call at 828.237.3277 or drop us a line for an estimate today. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

An Easy Way to Get Dents Out of Rugs

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Rearranging your living room only to find unsightly dents in your beautiful area rug? Not a problem! Divots left behind in your rug by the legs of your furniture can easily be removed and fluffed out easily. Just follow these four simple steps to get dents out of rugs.

  1. Lay a damp towel over the dent.
  2. Run an iron over the towel on medium heat, checking periodically to see if the rug fibers beneath have begun to lift. The heat of the iron should gradually cause the fibers to spring back to their original shape.
  3. Leave the towel on top of the dent until completely dry.
  4. Finally, vacuum the affected area. The suction from the vacuum cleaner will pull the fibers up to their normal height.

This simple process should remove even the deepest divots from your rug. If you find that you need additional help to make your area rugs look brand new, give Five Step a call at 828.237.3237 or drop us a line today. We offer a full range of effective, sustainable, and friendly floor cleaning services, and we love nothing more than making our customers happy!

 

Cigarette Smoke Odor Removal in Asheville

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cigarette smoke odor

Over the years, we’ve received a lot of calls from ex-smokers. They’ve made the decision to quit smoking, and they’ve followed through on that decision, making huge improvements to their health and their quality of life. But there’s just one problem: their houses still smell like an ashtray. It doesn’t take long before that odor becomes unbearable, and that’s when they give Five Step a call. That’s why we’ve become the top source for cigarette smoke odor removal in Asheville.

Years of indoor smoking invariably leaves behind strong, unpleasant odors. Even worse, it is now known that exposure to this “third-hand” cigarette smoke can pose severe health risks, even after months of not smoking in the room. Infants and young children are especially at risk. Studies have shown that even small amounts of third hand smoke exposure are correlated with respiratory diseases and developmental delays.

These nasty, unhealthy odors cannot be eliminated by airing out the house with fans, by deodorizing the carpet, or merely re-painting the walls. These things can help, but they are band-aid solutions that will not entirely fix the problem. Something needs to be done to get the lingering residues out of your carpet, upholstery, and rugs.

Well-meaning friends and family might have advised you to just replace the carpet and furniture, insisting that there’s no way those smells will ever come out. But that’s not true. Good, professional carpet, rug, and upholstery cleaning CAN eliminate both the unpleasant odors and the harmful residues left behind by years of cigarette smoke and tar.

If you’ve recently quit smoking, congratulations! Give yourself a big pat on the back. You’ve made a smart decision, and your hard work and commitment to quit is commendable. Your next step should be to rid your home of the stinky and harmful odors and residues left behind by your former habit.

If you’ve got a lingering cigarette smoke odor problem in your carpets, rugs, or upholstery, we can help! If you live in the Asheville, NC area, give us a call at 828.237.3237 or get in touch via our contact form today!

 

5 Ways Rugs Can Improve Your Home

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rugs home improvement

Is it time to update the look and feel of your home? If so, there are a lot of things to consider, and one of them should be whether or not to invest in area rugs! Would your home benefit from the addition of rugs? Here are 5 benefits of adding rugs to your interior design.

  1. Rugs protect your wood floors. Fact: Floors are meant to be walked on. It just can’t be helped. But over time, all that walking can cause residual damage to your beautiful hardwood or laminate wood floors! One awesome benefit of area rugs is that they protect the bare floor underneath. If you’ve noticed scuffs, scrapes, gouges or staining on your wood or laminate floors, placing area rugs in high-traffic areas can put a stop to the problem. Over time, this will save you money on floor repairs and refinishing.
  2. Rugs prevent cold feet. You get out of bed in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, and by the time you get back, your feet are so cold that it takes you thirty minutes to get back to sleep. Or you lay in bed after the alarm clock goes off, dreading the moment when your bare feet make contact with the frigid wood or tile. Socks don’t help, and even your fuzzy slippers let in the cold. Sounds like it’s time to insulate those floors with some nice, soft, warm rugs!
  3. Rugs can tie a room together. Maybe it’s a lack of color or vibrant patterns that help to tie together the interior design of your living space. Or maybe your living room just feels stark and somber with all the bare hardwood. Either way, there’s something missing, and it can only be remedied with rugs!
  4. Rugs make a room more welcoming and comfortable. A home full of hard surfaces is an unwelcome place for guests. They might not say anything about it, and probably they aren’t even consciously thinking it. But somewhere in the back of their minds, they are subconsciously yearning for the lush, soft comfort that only rugs can provide.
  5. Rugs help keep your little ones safe. Babies love to roll around on the floor. But hard, bare wood or tile floors are not conducive surfaces for infants to roll around on and explore! Introducing area rugs to your living space will make your little ones more comfortable and less likely to be injured.

At Five Step Carpet Care, we don’t sell rugs, but we do clean them! We even offer a convenient pick-up and drop-off service! If you live in the Asheville, NC area and need professional rug cleaning, give us a call at 828.237.3237.

 

How to Get Oil Stains Out of Upholstery

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oil stain

Oil can be one of the toughest types of stain to get out of fabric. And when the fabric in question is attached to a sofa or armchair, it can be an even bigger head-scratcher. It’s not as if you can just spray stain remover on and throw the sofa in the washer! But don’t worry. Grease and oil stains can often be removed by tried-and-true DIY methods. Here’s how to get oil stains out of upholstery.

Whether it’s a splash of vinaigrette, a pizza grease stain, or smudges of oil-based lotion or makeup, getting oil and grease stains out of upholstery can feel a bit daunting. But there are a few cleaning tricks that can be tried using items you probably already have around the house. Try one of these methods to get that oil stain out.

If the stain is fresh and still wet, use a rag or plastic utensil to remove the oil that hasn’t yet seeped into the upholstery fabric. Then begin with the following methods.

The WD-40 Method

WD-40 is great for lubricating squeaky hinges and wheels, but did you know you can also use it as a stain remover? This lubricant contains solvents that break down oils and lift stains to the surface of the fabric. As always, perform a spot test in a small, out-of-view area of the upholstery to make sure it doesn’t damage the fabric. If you get the go-ahead, then spray the stain lightly with WD-40. Let sit for five minutes, then wash with a mixture of mild dish soap and warm water. Blot dry.

 

The Baking Soda Method

Liberally sprinkle baking soda onto the grease stain. Let sit for ten to fifteen minutes, then scrub lightly with a toothbrush. Vacuum the remaining baking soda and repeat as needed.

 

The Vodka Method

Alcohol can lift oil stains from fabrics as well as carpets. Spray the stain with a bit of vodka, then blot dry. Follow up by blotting with a wet cloth to remove any remaining alcohol. You may have to repeat this trick a few times.

 

If these DIY methods don’t do the job, it may be time to call in some professional help. If you live in the Asheville, NC area, give Five Step a call at 828.237.3237 today!

How to Care for Fine Rugs

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how to get dents out of rugs

If you know how to care for fine rugs, you can enjoy them for a lifetime—and beyond! Persian, Oriental, antique, and handmade rugs require regular maintenance to keep them looking beautiful as they age. By following a few basic care routines, you can protect your fine rug’s value and enhance its beauty for many years to come. These rugs may even become family heirlooms that not only you, but your children and grandchildren will treasure.

Environmental Considerations

Fine rugs should not be exposed to constant direct sunlight, damp environments, or excessive heat. Keep rugs in climate and humidity-controlled rooms to prevent rot and decay, and use blinds or curtains to prevent sunlight from gradually fading the vibrant colors of your rugs. Never place your fine rug too close to a fireplace or heat source, as constant or excessive heat can cause drying-out and weakening of the natural fibers.

Vacuuming

Fine rugs should be vacuumed regularly to remove dirt, debris, and microscopic mold spores and other toxins. If the regular maintenance is not done, contaminants will build up over time to give your rug a dirty, yellowed, or dingy appearance.

Stains

Stains and spills do happen, but it is imperative that you do not use any cleaning agent on your fine rugs that might damage the fibers or bleach out the colors. If you have care instructions from the manufacturer or merchant, follow the directions for spot cleaning. Many stains can be tackled with a mixture of water and mild dish soap. But when in doubt, call in the experts!

Insects

Some insects like to burrow in and/or eat the natural fibers in fine rugs. In particular, moths can be a nuisance since they like to lay their eggs in the close-knit fibers. When their larvae hatch, they will go to work devouring your rug. To prevent this disaster from happening to your rugs, stay on top of regular vacuuming and don’t leave your fine rugs in dark storage areas without double-layer plastic protection.

Protect the Back

We don’t often think of rug backings as something that needs to be protected. We’re more interested in the beautiful top side of the rug—the part we can see! But the bottom of your rug can become damaged from wear and tear, too. To protect the backs of your rugs, make sure they are placed on smooth floor surfaces—never on rough-hewn stone or brick, for instance. You can also use non-slip mats underneath your rugs to both protect them and keep them from sliding out of position, bunching up, or causing a tripping hazard. Five Step carries Duo-Lock rug pads to prolong the life of your rug and prevent unwanted movement.

Professional Cleaning

Fine rugs should be sent to a professional rug cleaner every five years or so. At Five Step Carpet Care, we give your Persian and Oriental rugs a luxurious spa treatment and return them to you refreshed and revitalized. Learn more about our rug-cleaning process.

 

We would love to be your trusted source for fine rug cleaning! If you live in the Asheville, NC area, give us a call at 828.237.3237 or drop us a line today!

 

 

Attention, Hendersonville! Pet Odor Removal is Possible!

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Is pet odor in your carpet a lost cause, or is there a way to rid your home of bad pet odors without shipping your furry friends off to the farm? Don’t worry, Hendersonville. Pet odor removal is not only possible, we do it every day!

Did your puppy have a few accidents in the family room before he graduated potty training? Or does your cat track litter into the carpeted hallway? Maybe you have a sick or elderly pet who has continence issues. Or perhaps you just have that unmistakable “dog smell” from fur and dander being ground deep into your carpet pile, where the vacuum can’t reach it.

Chances are, the odors are actually coming from the bottom of the carpet, or the padding underneath. But you don’t have to rip the carpet out and replace it to get rid of the odors! Quality professional carpet cleaning can address those smells (and stains) for good.

Even if your pet odor problems are in your furniture’s upholstery, the problem can be fixed!

At Five Step Carpet Care, we help homeowners and property managers with pet odor problems all the time. We’ll get rid of those smelly spots so that you and your pets can enjoy your carpet (or furniture) again. Best of all, our sustainable, non-toxic five step process will take care of those odors without leaving any chemical residues behind.

If you live in Hendersonville, NC (or anywhere in western NC) and you struggle with pet-related odors in your home, give Five Step a call at 828.237.3237 or drop us a line.

 

How to Get Chewing Gum Out of Carpet

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When you find a sticky, gunky mess of gum stuck in your carpet, you’ll want to get it out as soon as possible. But how? You may have heard that freezing the gum with ice does the trick. While freezing is a helpful start, it may not be enough to complete the task. It all depends on how stuck into the carpet fibers the gum is. But don’t fret! There are ways to get chewing gum out of carpet. Just follow the steps below.

  1. Freeze the gum. Put a few ice cubes in a plastic baggy and place it on top of the gum. Leave it there for a few minutes, long enough for the gum to freeze and harden. Once it is hardened, try to pull the gum off of the carpet. If you succeed, great! You can stop here. But if there are still bits of gum ground into the carpet fibers that won’t come off, continue on to the next step.
  2. Apply WD-40. Please perform a spot test first to ensure that no discoloration will result! WD-40 is great for dissolving chewing gum, enabling you to easily lift it from the carpet. Spray the solution from close to the gum stain, and with a butter knife, scrape at the gum, picking up the bits as they separate from the mass. You may need to reapply the WD-40 if there is a lot of gum, or if it is ground deeply into the carpet.
  3. Quick clean-up. Finally, once the gum is completely removed, spray the area with your favorite non-toxic carpet spot cleaner, or a small amount of dish detergent and water. Wipe it with a clean cloth, and allow to air dry.

And that’s it! By following these three steps, you should be able to get chewing gum out of carpet without a big hassle. If you live in the Asheville, NC area and you need some help with carpet cleaning, give Five Step a call at 828.327.7233 or use our contact form.

How to Remove Ink Stains From Upholstery

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Did you lose an uncapped pen in between the couch cushions? Or did your toddler create a masterpiece in Magic Marker on your armchair? These things happen. Now you might be wondering how to remove ink stains from upholstery.

Not to worry! There are a few simple methods you can use to get rid of those ink stains and leave your furniture looking as good as new.

Ink stains can be tricky to clean because the method you’ll need will depend on the type of ink that was spilled and the type of fabric you are cleaning. Also, synthetic fabrics may be easier to clean than natural fabrics like cotton or wool. It may take a little trial and error to get it right.

Here are a few cleaning solutions you can try:

  • Dish soap and water (for very light stains)
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • White vinegar
  • Denatured alcohol

You might have to try more than one of the above solutions in order to get the best results. But each cleaning agent will involve the same basic steps. They are:

  1. If you’re using one of the stronger cleaning agents (isopropyl alcohol or denatured alcohol), perform a spot test in a hidden area, just to make sure the product won’t damage the upholstery.
  2. If the stain is fresh, blot it with a clean white cloth or paper towel to remove as much of the wet ink as possible.
  3. Add a small amount of the desired cleaning solution, enough to cover the stain.
  4. Blot the stain with a clean cloth or paper towel. Do not wipe!
  5. Repeat as necessary, and if you’re not seeing results, try the next product on the list.

It’s as simple as that! Of course, if you’re having trouble with the above instructions, it may be time to call in the professionals. No matter how tricky or extensive your upholstery stain is, Five Step can get it out in a hurry! Just give us a call at 828.327.3237 or drop us a line today!

How to Get Wax Out of Carpet

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wax on carpet

Did your elegant candlelit dinner result in a waxy mess? Did your séance go awry when someone toppled the candle onto the carpet? Or perhaps you just have a teenager. Regardless of how you ended up with a wax stain, you are probably wondering how to get wax out of carpet.

Removing dried, hardened wax from carpet might seem tricky, but it’s definitely doable. Just follow the three simple steps below and see for yourself.

 

  1. Scrape up the dry wax. Using a butter knife or other dull metal straight-edge, scrape the hardened wax and vacuum up the chunks. You can also score the surface of the wax and lift it up in pieces with the knife.
  2. Iron the wax stain. Place a wet towel over the hardened wax and hold your heated iron on top of the towel for up to 30 seconds at a time. The wax will melt and be lifted onto the towel. The towel must be wet to avoid overheating and possibly burning the towel or the carpet underneath. If your towel dries out, wet it again. For an extra heavy wax spill, have extra towels on hand in case the first one gets too saturated with wax. Repeat until the wax is gone.
  3. Remove any remaining residue. At this point, you can use a regular carpet cleaning spray to remove any remaining wax film. Use the carpet cleaner according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

 

If you have any trouble with the above steps, it may be time to call in the pros! Give Five Step Carpet Care a call at 828.237.3237 or drop us a line.