Tile can look sharp in any setting, but a nasty-looking stain can take away that effect entirely.  Even though at first glance these stains seem as though they will be a pain to remove, there are a few simple things you can do to make short work of them.  Read on to learn some of our quick and easy tips for tackling tile stains!

Like stains regarding any other type of material, the one thing that can determine whether or not you can get it out is how long the stain has been able to set.  Liquid that has been lying on tile for a while will be harder to get out, whereas ones that can be wiped up quickly will most likely not leave any residue.  The golden rule is: should something spill onto your tile, wipe it up as soon as you possibly can.

Now, say that the stain has had a while to set, and you’re looking at something that seems to be stubborn.  The first thing you are going to want to do is to get some warm water and soap, and try to remove the stain using that; some elbow grease may be applied as well.  One of the best things you can do for the health of your tile is to use chemical cleaners sparingly, as they can dull the color and weaken the tile itself.  Water is a safe option, and is normally effective.

If the stain is not coming out the old-fashioned way, then grabbing some hydrogen peroxide is your next step.  Simply dab it on the spot, and any blood, nail polish, coffee, tea, or juice stains will disappear right before your eyes.  Likewise, club soda can be used to remove any fat or grease-based stains, and the carbonation will break down the individual particles.

Using this method should get out most stains in your tile, but if one seems to persist, then it may be time to call in the big guns.  Instead of opting to use a chemical cleaner, give the professionals a call, as an overuse of cleaner can stain your tile, or even worse, weaken it.  Professional cleaners, like us at Bayside Carpet Cleaning, are certified  by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, which sets forth guidelines on how to clean a floor properly and safely.

With our free-trial offer and a money-back guarantee, you have nothing to lose except for that stubborn stain on your tile.  Give us a call today for a free in-home estimate!

In today’s vast consumer market, you can find ten different cleaners for one specific type of mess.  With all of these choices for what to use, it can all be a little confusing.  However, there is one cleaning product in your kitchen cabinet that can do as much as these chemical-based products, without the price, and without the confusion: vinegar.  Read on to find out all the wonders vinegar can work in your home!

When discussing stain-removal in carpets, vinegar is often the go-to solution, thanks to its natural acidic properties.  Some of the most stubborn stains can be taken care of with a spray bottle, vinegar, water, and a cloth.  Simply mix one part vinegar to one part water, spray, dab with the towel, and repeat until the stain is gone.

Not only that, but vinegar is also an effective agent for getting off stickers and other adhesives on your furniture.  Brush some vinegar onto the sticker, let it stand for ten minutes, and the adhesive will peel right off.  Any residue left behind can then be swiftly taken care of with more vinegar and water.

In addition, vinegar has also been known as the “original air freshener”.  Persistent odor of urine from where Fido had an accident a few months ago?  A bowl of vinegar left overnight will pull those odor particles right out of the air, leaving that room smelling fresh yet again.

Sometimes, the most effective solutions are right before our eyes, and we fail to realize it; this is just the tip of the iceberg for what vinegar can do.  It’s all natural, safe, free of chemicals, cheap, and easy to handle.   So the next time you have a nasty spill or a stain, think twice before reaching for that commercialized cleaning product, as you may have a better experience with what you have right in your kitchen.

For more carpet cleaning tips and tricks, be sure to check back to our blog every Tuesday and Thursday!

Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home, but the sight of a spill or a dark mark can strike fear into the heart of the homeowner.  In a house with people, pets, or both, you can expect an accident to happen sooner or later, but there is no need to panic when one does.  Join us today, as we show you how to remove some stubborn hardwood floor stains, all without the stress to you or the floor!

You may think that a stain on a hardwood floor would be incredibly difficult to remove, but that thought could not be further from the truth.  However, the biggest determining factor on how a stain will impact your floor all resides in the time from when the stain hits the floor, to when it is cleaned up.

Most hardwood floors out there today have finishes that defend against liquid.  In this case, you can simply wipe the spill up to prevent staining, but this convenience is not always the case.  Say a little one or a pet spilled something on the floor the night before, and didn’t think to tell you until this morning.  Well, now what?

The first thing you should do to remove the stain is to take a neutral approach to it.  Use a rag and some water to see if it will come right out; you’d be surprised on just how many stains can be removed that way.  If not, use white vinegar instead, and a bit more of elbow grease.  Unless the stain is really stuck in the grain, it should come right out.

Now there is always the possibility that despite your best efforts, the stain is still lodged in.  While you may feel like giving up, there is always hope!  Do yourself a favor and call in the professionals at the point, because scouring the internet for different chemicals to use on your floor for getting the stain out can wind up resulting in a destroyed finish on the floor.  Save yourself the time, effort, and money to hire a service; they’ll get the stain right out, and make the rest of your floor look real nice!

For more flooring and upholstery tips and tricks, be sure to check back to our blog every Tuesday and Thursday!

With the day of spooky ghosts and carved pumpkins right around the corner, we thought it would be appropriate to write an article on all the stains you may encounter, and how to properly treat them, because even ghouls can make accidents.  Join us today, as we show you how to get those spooky Halloween stains right out of your carpet!

Of all the Halloween stains out there, stains from candy are by far the most common.  No matter how it got into your carpet, you can easily take it out with this simple method: For hard candy, grab a bag of ice and place it directly on the candy.  Next, scrape it away with a knife, vacuum, and then go back over with a rag and soapy water.  Pat dry, and you are done.  For chocolate, dab up as much of it as you can, but then go back over it with cold water and dish detergent.  With enough scrubbing in a circular motion, the stain will come right out.

Another common stain that you may run into are make-up stains.  Like candy, these stains may seem to be impossible to remove at first glance, but with the right attitude, you can make short work of them.  First, remove as much as you can by dabbing with a dry cloth.  Next, grab some rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball and begin to lightly dab the spot.  It is important here that you do not scrub of dab with too much force, as rubbing alcohol can destroy the bond between the individual carpet fibers and the base.  If a stain still persists, use some cold soapy water and a rag to get the rest out.  Dab dry, and you are done.

Just like with monsters, ghosts, and ghouls, Halloween carpet stains are by no means scary once you cut them down to size.  With the right attitude and solutions, you can easily make short work of any stain in your home.

From all of us a Bayside Carpet Cleaning, we wish you and your family a very happy Halloween!

With some services in life, the benefit is obvious, like a haircut, for example.  For others, there may be much more than what meets the eye.  Professional carpet cleaning falls into the latter category.  Sure, your carpet will be looking and smelling fresh after we’re done with it, but there is much more of a benefit than just that.  Join us today, as we explore the some of the hidden benefits carpet cleaning can have.

As we have explained in the past, your carpet works as a type of air filter, capturing different types of microbes, dust, and imperfections in the air on a daily basis.  Well, over time the filter fills up, and before you know it, your carpet has every single imperfection under the sun trapped in it.  By getting a professional cleaning, you are taking all of these pollutants out of your carpet for good, and restoring fresh air into your home.

Not only, but a professional carpet cleaning can contribute towards preventing mold growth.  Along with trapping pathogens in the air, your carpet can also retain a good degree of moisture, which if coupled in with a high humidity level, can lead to mold growth.  By choosing a professional cleaning, you are choosing a cleaning that can eliminate moisture in your carpet, and therefore, mold in your home.

With all the wonders that a professional carpet cleaning can do, are you ready to have yours cleaned yet?  Give us a call when you are for a free in-home estimate!

As we have covered in previous blogs, regular mopping is the best way to keep your tile floors looking clean and staying healthy.  Like vacuuming, the process seems incredible easy, but we have a few tips that you’re probably not taking advantage of that can help you get the most out of your mop.  Read on to find out more!

One of the simplest tips we can offer for mopping is the order in which you clean your floor.  Many people will mop the entire floor, and then go back to clean out their grout.  A more effective solution would be to clean out the grout first (which can easily be done with the use of commercial products) and then going back to mop your floor.  This way, all the dirt that you get out of your grout will not end up on a cleaned floor, negating your previous half hour of effort.

Another easy tip with mopping is to limit the amount of water you use.  With mopping, the goal is not to give your floor a bath, but to scrub clean with a wet brush.  Depending on the stain and condition of your floor, it may be much easier to use less water and more elbow grease to get out those stubborn stains.

Finally, it is always good practice to take care of your mop, as the more you mop, the dirtier it gets!  Bacteria can actually disintegrate the stands of the mop, so it is extremely important to clean in regularly.  The best part is you can use common household items to ensure that your mop is always in tip-top shape.  Simply grab your mop, soak it in a bowl of vinegar, and watch as all the dirt and grime buildup just disappear.  In addition, if your mop has been under some heavy stress, you can always stick the detachable head in the washing machine.  Just be sure to dry the mop upside-down!

Mopping may not be difficult, but it is an essential part to keeping your floors looking the best they possibly can.  Should your floors need a little bit of work, always know that Bayside Carpet Cleaning is here to help.

Give us a call today for a free in-home estimate!

Here at Bayside Carpet Cleaning, we clean much more than just floors–we do tile and furniture as well!  Out of those, we get requests from time to time about cleaning microfiber, as it is seen as one of the toughest materials to clean.  Believe it or not, giving your microfiber furniture a quick cleaning before the professionals come in is much easier than you think.  Read on to find out how you can give your microfiber the clean it deserves!

Its fibers may be intimidating, but cleaning microfiber simply comes down to a simple process.  The first thing that you are going to want to do is to vacuum the surface, and get off as much dirt and dust as possible.  This will make the rest of the cleaning job much, much easier.

Now, grab some rubbing alcohol, a spray bottle, and a clean sponge.  Put the alcohol into the bottle, and spray over areas that are especially dirty.  After, grab your sponge and start scrubbing!  Unlike other pieces of furniture, you can scrub with microfiber to get the dirt out, as the rubbing alcohol works as a solvent.  However, DO NOT try this with carpet.  Dab instead, as rubbing will push the stain deeper into the fibers.

Feel free to scrub hard; you are going to want to get out as much dirt and grime that you possibly can!  Just be sure to only work on one section at a time, as you do not want the furniture absorbing all of the rubbing alcohol.

After your scrubbing, let it dry and you’re done!  It’s that easy.  This method works great when you need to give your furniture a quick scrubbing, or just in-between professional cleanings.

At least once a year, you should be having your microfiber thoroughly cleaned, and a whole lot of dirt can accumulate into just one piece of furniture, one that you sit in on a daily basis!  Give us a call today for a free, in-home estimate.

Vacuuming is one of those things that is essential to the longevity of your carpet, and something that we all think we know how to do.  Despite this notion, there may be common mistakes you are making when doing it.  Join us today, as we highlight some of the most common vacuuming mistakes, and how you can fix it to get the most out of your time.

One of the biggest mistakes that people make when vacuuming is the pattern in which they do it.  Some will do short-strokes that do not overlap each other, and others will only vacuum in one direction.  the best way to get dirt and dust out of your carpet is to vacuuming in strides, making sure that they overlap each other, and in both directions.  This slight change to your vacuuming methods can pay off big time in the long run.

In addition, many people vacuum too quickly, and consequently miss some spots that they would have hit otherwise.  Yes, we understand that vacuuming is a chore, and that you can easily be spending your time doing something different, but by going slow, you won’t miss key spots in your carpet, and can wait longer in between vacuum jobs.  Think of it as spending time now to save some later.

Also, don’t be afraid to do multiple passes.  Dirt can be lodged into the fibers, and will only come out after a few passes.  The more time you spend on cleaning your carpet, the longer it will last.

Finally, the biggest mistake people make when it comes to vacuuming carpet is that they wait until it is dirty to vacuum.  Think of carpet as a type of dirt-magnet: it is always collecting dirt, dust, and microbes that happen to be around.  Even if your carpet looks clean, chances are that there is dirt lying underneath, dirt which can be easily removed from a weekly vacuuming.  Do yourself a favor and vacuum regularly, at least once every two weeks.

It may be a mind-numbing chore, but it is the one thing that will keep your carpet healthy and looking great!

For more carpet care tips, be sure to check back to our page every Tuesday and Thursday!

In your home, there are several high-traffic areas that can explicitly be shown through the state of your carpet.  The area right by your door is one, but your stairs come in at a close second.  They need to be cleaned from time to time, but there are situations where you cannot call out the professionals to do it.  So, to bridge the gap between cleanings, here are a few, fool-proof tips to getting a great clean on your carpeted stairs every time.

One of the biggest differences between the carpet you have in your living room and the carpet you have on your stairs is that dirt is much more likely to sink into the carpet on the stairs.  Think about it: people will push their feet down into the carpet to get leverage for the next step, and along with it, they are pushing whatever is on the bottom of their shoe deep into the fibers.  Disgusting, isn’t it?

Well, there’s no need to worry, so long as you adhere to some simple tips.  First, we recommend using some sort of rake, whether it be a stiff broom or a scrub brush or something of the sorts, to rake out all of the dirt lodged beneath the fibers.  Trust us, there is a whole lot more than you may think.  Then, go over with a vacuum, being sure to take your time.  Start at the top of the stairs and work your way down, so you’re not stepping directly on what you just cleaned.

If you must, apply a commercial cleaning shampoo, but do so sparingly.  There are some chemicals in some of the shampoos that can cause damage to your carpet if not handled properly, so please exercise caution.  Our opinion?  Leave the chemicals and additives to the pros, especially to those who have been licensed by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration.

Cleansing your carpeted stairs doesn’t have to be a difficult chore; you can do it quickly and efficiently with some simple tips.  In no time, you’ll have your stairs looking great, definitely good enough to last you until the next cleaning.

For more carpet care tips and tricks, be sure to check back to our blog every Tuesday and Thursday!

Tile floors can be stunningly beautiful, especially if placed in a kitchen or a bathroom.  Having tile in these rooms can have guests render many compliments your way, but receive a ton of foot traffic.  Consequently, tile in these spots are prone to wear, tear, and the occasional hairline crack, causing headaches to the homeowner.  Thankfully, you can easily repair hairline cracks yourself, without the need to call in a professional.  Just follow along for a comprehensive guide!

Before we begin, you are going to need a two-part marine epoxy, oil-based paint that matches the tile, and an oil-based primer.

First, clean the tile with soap and water, as to get out any dirt that has set in since the crack.  Dry with a towel, and then run a hairdryer over it for 15 minutes to draw out any moisture that could possibly be in the tile.

Next, take the oil-based primer and apply it to the crack, but be careful no to get it on the glazed surface of the un-cracked tile.  Let dry for 2 hours.

Next, apply the oil-based paint to the crack.  Let it sit overnight.

Finally, mix together equal parts of the two-part marine epoxy using a toothpick, and then very carefully put it in the crack.  Go in small amounts, and go slow, stopping when the epoxy is level with the top of the tile.  Let sit for the next 24 hours, and you’re done!

How easy was that?  Now, you are better able to face whatever the world throws at the common homeowner.

For more carpet and floor care tips, be sure to check back to our blog every Tuesday and Thursday!