Archive for the ‘Cleaning Tips’ Category

Steam cleaning to remove scabies from your house upholstered furniture and carpets

Saturday, October 9th, 2010

In order to prevent reinfestation, it is important to make your environment as inhospitable to Scabies Mites as possible.

Scabies

Scabies

Mattresses, sofas and armchairs are the primary reason most people get reinfested. The scabies mites leave your body while you are lying in bed and venture into the mattress and come back up the next night to reinfest you when they sense warmth. Use a professional steam cleaning service to immediately get rid of any Scabies, Mites and eggs on the seams and tufts of your mattress and upholstered furniture.

Order carpet steam cleaning service and that should kill any of the remaining bugs on the carpets. Steam cleaning is a great way to keep the house extra clean and scabies free. Vacuum vigorously and often to remove as many Scabies mites as possible and discard the bag each time to prevent them from being blown right back into the air. We suggest using a vacuum with a hepa filter and a crevice tool for maximum cleaning.

Bathroom Cleaning Tips and Ideas

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Keeping a clean home is no easy task and bathrooms are one area that require plenty of attention. Clean bathrooms are not just aesthetically pleasing but also hygienic. Here are some simple cleaning tips and ideas for homeowners to spruce up the bathroom by getting rid of dust, clutter and dirt.

Bathroom Cleaning Products and Supplies
Before starting on sprucing up the bathrooms, do stock the cleaning caddy with the right bathroom cleaning products and supplies. Here is a list of items that may be needed during a bathroom cleanup.

•Step-ladder
•Dust mop (preferably with a long handle), broom, mop
•Cleaning cloths or rags, sponges and brushes
•Small bucket with handle
•Disposable gloves
•Cleaning sprays – choose from natural cleaners or commercial ones
•Trash can liners

Dusting and De-cluttering Bathrooms
Begin cleaning the bathroom by dusting the ceiling, the walls, the fans and the vents. If these areas are very dirty, use a home made cleaning solution or diluted commercial cleanser and wipe clean with a damp cloth. Clean pictures and other wall art by gently wiping the glass and the frame with a clean, damp cloth. Remove all clutter, dirty clothes and empty out the trashcan.

Remove shower and window curtains, towels and bathroom rugs. Replace with clean, fresh ones. Remove light fixtures and wipe clean. Wash windows inside and outside.

Cleaning Bathroom Tiles, Floor and Fixtures
Cleaning bathroom tiles, floor and fixtures such as the sink, tub, shower and cabinets requires more effort and time. Begin by emptying out the linen and medicine cabinets of all the unnecessary clutter, discard outdated products and make a list of items that need to be replaced. Scrub the sink, toilet and tub using a commercial or natural cleaning product and a sponge or scrubber. Do wear disposable gloves to protect the hands from germs as well as the chemicals in the cleaners.

End of Tenancy Cleaning Service – Benefits

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

Many people across the UK, especially in London are renting apartments or homes for their residence. It is an easy way to make sure that one’s living conditions are respectable and still affordable. However, when it is time to move out of the residence, the living quarters must be thoroughly cleaned for the next occupants that will take it over. This is where the concept of tenancy cleaning comes into play. People come in to professionally clean the space to make sure that the next tenants feel like they are moving into a brand new space. There are many benefits to utilizing this type of cleaning service when moving out of one’s rented space.

First of all, cleaning a rented space, such as a flat, while trying to pack and move to a new location is time consuming. This is a huge amount of responsibility to take on. By having a cleaning service come in and clean one’s old accommodations while they pack and ready themselves for the next move makes the transition far less stressful. Moving is already a difficult situation, why should one make it more difficult by adding more tasks to the plate?

Next, when one first moves into a rented space, whether it is a flat or home, a refundable deposit is usually put down to secure the space. Once the tenant moves out, if all cleaning requirements are met, the deposit will be refunded in full. Tenancy cleaning is a sure fire way to ensure that the initial deposit will be returned to the tenant, leaving the cleaning to the professionals. In comparison, the cost of hiring tenancy cleaners is a small price to pay in order to ensure that one will receive their deposit.

There are a few tricks to choosing tenancy cleaners, however. Like with domestic cleaners, make sure to receive referrals and to check them, thoroughly. If someone is going to be spending time with one’s belongings, one needs to make sure that they are reliable. Also, remember to choose based upon the services that are provided. For example, if there is carpet in the apartment, will they clean it or are there any extra charges for such services? Lastly, and most obviously, remember to book these services well in advance. People move out of rentals every day and services such as these are high in demand. If one is aware that they will be moving out on a certain date, they should make sure to reserve the services so they can concentrate on the move rather than the cleaning.

When moving out of a rented space, hiring someone to perform tenancy cleaning is a well-worth it investment to make sure the transition goes smoothly. Just remember to do the research and that all needed services are going to be provided.

How to Clean Velour Upholstery

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
velour upholstered sofa

velour upholstered sofa

Velour is a fabric similar to velvet, with a thick soft nap which makes the fabric luxurious to the touch. Unlike velvet, however, velour is a knit, which changes the properties of the fabric rather dramatically. There are many uses for velour, ranging from upholstery to casual wear.

The velvety appearance of velour makes it an elegant, beautiful choice for upholstery. However, it requires care to keep it looking beautiful and luxurious. With dirt and dust the fabric loses its soft touch and becomes stiff and dull looking. Here are the steps to maintain your upholstery and enhance its features.

You will need:

  • Soft brush
  • Vacuum with brush attachment
  • Bucket
  • Water
  • Mild liquid soap (Ex: Woolite Upholstery Soap or mild dish soap)
  • Ammonia
  • Muslin fabric
  • Suede brush

Steps to clean the upholstery:

  1. Begin by removing as much dirt as possible by brushing it away.
  2. A vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment can be used to remove loose dust and dirt particles.
  3. Fill a bucket with warm water.
  4. Add a small amount of soap and stir the water. Do not agitate the water to form suds, just mix in the soap gently. Add a few drops of household ammonia for extra cleaning power if needed.
  5. Muslin fabric is a special type of material and is gentle to keep from damaging the soft fibers of the velour.
  6. Dip the fabric piece into the soapy water and wring it out completely. Excess water will not yield good results, so wring it out until it is just slightly damp.
  7. Rub the moistened cloth over the surface of the upholstery. Use a back and forth motion as you are cleaning.
  8. Repeat as necessary until the surface is clean.
  9. Change the cloth and water as necessary to keep working with clean materials.
  10. Once the surface is clean allow it to dry completely.
  11. Brush the surface with a suede brush to restore the soft texture.

Additional tips and advice

  • Do not clean velour with high heat cleaners, such as steam cleaners. The heat can damage the material and cause discoloration.
  • Velour is a sensitive fabric and is often best left to professionals. If your piece is very soiled or you just don’t want to risk damaging the surface, hire a professional who is experienced with velour.
  • When choosing a liquid soap, avoid those with added color. A clear soap is the best option.

Silk Cleaning Silk Upholstery Fabrics Care

Saturday, November 7th, 2009

Care of Silk Fabrics

silk fabric

silk fabric

  • Silk is a natural protein fiber. Do not use chlorine bleach to clean silk; chlorine will damage the silk fabric.
  • Avoid drying silk in direct sunlight as sunlight for a prolonged period will damage the silk fabric.
  • Substances containing alcohol will damage silk fabric. So let your perfume and hairspray dry before dressing.

Hand Washing Silk

  • Hand washing silk is our recommended mode of cleaning silk. Almost all silk can be hand washed (and would not shrink if the silk fabric were pre-shrunk before sewing).
  • If you have hard water, you may wish to first add a spoonful of borax to the washing water.
  • Use lukewarm water and mild, non-alkaline soap or baby shampoo.
  • While rinsing, you can add a few tablespoonfuls of distilled white vinegar to the rinse water to neutralize alkali traces and to dissolve soap residue Or, add a few drops of hair conditioner to the final rinse water for extra silky feel.
  • Soaking silk for any more than a few minutes should be avoided.
  • Do not use harsh detergents that contain bleaches or brighteners.
  • Do not wring or twist; roll in towel to extract water.

Machine Washing Silk

  • We recommend hand washing silk, even those garments labeled safe for machine washing.
  • If, however, you do wish to machine wash silk, please use Delicate Cycle and mild detergent.
  • Do not use detergents that contain enzymes and brighteners.
  • Use the shortest spin cycle.
  • In a top-loading machine, we strongly recommend using a mesh bag for extra protection (this step would not be necessary in a front-loading machine).
  • Always separate your colors.

Silk Care: Drying Tips

  • Hang silk garments to dry. The silk garment will hold its shape.
  • As with any fine fabric, never use direct sunlight to dry silk clothing. Doing so can damage the silk fiber and fade the color. Wet silk may yellow in direct sunlight or on a radiator.
  • Don’t use a wooden drying rack, as the dyes & finishes can leave stains.
  • We do not recommend drying silk in a clothes dryer since it can damage silk in two ways: (1) excessive temperature and heat dulls the silk fabric and may also shrink it; (2) friction with the dryer drum might cause yarn breaks or white streaks.

Silk Care: Green Organic Dry Cleaning

  • Perchloroethylene (commonly known in the trade as “perc”) is the most commonly used solvent in the dry cleaning business. It is highly toxic and carcinogenic. Any garments dry cleaned from such chemicals should be left in an outdoor airy environment for some time so the fumes fully leave the garment
  • Better yet, we recommend that our customers look into green dry cleaners or organic dry cleaning services that use safer and non-toxic methods such as liquid CO2 or silicone based solvents
  • Some Dry Clean Only fabrics (rayon, lace etc. etc.) are delicate and cannot withstand the agitation of a washing machine. Other Dry Clean Only fabrics (wool, for example) would shrink drastically if washed in water. Machine washable wool is now readily available.
  • Occasionally, however, the Dry Clean Only label may mean that the manufacturer was cutting corners and did not bother to preshrink the fabric, or chose dyed fabrics that were not colorfast.
  • The silk fabric used in our garments is guaranteed to be pre-shrunk. After hand painting, every garment goes through an elaborate process to ensure color fastness.

Silk Care: Ironing Silk

  • If necessary, press the silk garment inside out while damp using cool iron setting (“Silk” setting on the iron).
  • Do not wet locally as this may cause rings.
  • Too much heat can dull, pucker, or burn silk fabric.
  • Most wrinkles in silk can be removed by hanging the garment in the bathroom during a shower. Let humidity do the ironing for you!

Cleaning Silk: Wrinkle Removal Tips

  • Minor silk wrinkles should disappear if the garment is hung overnight.
  • Stubborn wrinkles can be removed with a cool iron set on “silk”.
  • Better yet, hang your silk garment in the bathroom during a shower. Humidity will remove the wrinkles for you.

Cleaning Silk: Silk Stain Removal

  • Please consult with your dry cleaner, it helps to be able to identify the stain and the sooner it is treated the better. Old stains will rarely come out.
  • As with all fine fabrics, NEVER use chlorine bleach on silk, as it will erode the fiber (not to mention the fabric discoloration).
  • If all else fails consider over dyeing your favorite garment.

Cosmopolit Cleaning has extensive experience in the cleaning, repair and restoration of fine silk rugs, wallpapers and upholstered furniture. Let us set up an appointment for a free consultation to determine your silk needs. We are available to meet at your property and your convenience.