Cleaning a granite kitchen countertop?

Posted by: on December 3, 2010

Question by robwilk6: Cleaning a granite kitchen countertop?
We have a granite kitchen countetop that is a very dark color…almost black. When it is dry there are “cloudy spots” that we can see. Anyone have a suggestion on how to get rid of them? Once the countertop is wet you can’t see it and it’s only in one particular spot…seems almost like the finish is rubbed off? Any ideas??

thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by diydoug@ymail.com
It is possible that the granite was not sealed properly and is causeing those spots. If you can, get a professional to look at it and get the finish re-sealed.

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Carpets and Rugs : How To Clean Spots and Stains

Posted by: on December 2, 2010

Carpets and Rugs : How To Clean Spots and Stains

Carpets and Rugs : How To Clean Spots and Stains

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/Carpets and Rugs : How To Clean Spots and Stains

Despite the rise of hard-surface floorings such as hardwood, stone and tile, carpet is still a huge seller. The United States is the single largest purchaser of carpets in the world market, with approximately 0 million in annual sales.

Although hardwood and stone or other tile floors are beautiful, area rugs are a must to provide comfort and sound-absorption in those rooms. And, many people still prefer wall-to wall carpet in areas such as  bedrooms.

Keeping nylon, wool, or polyester carpet looking beautiful can be challenging, especially if your household includes pets, children, or both. Since I went into the carpet cleaning business  back in the 1980′s, I have done so many jobs which people have asked me the same question: how can I keep my carpet beautiful in-between annual professional carpet cleaning?

First of all, avoid using store-bought carpet spotters. They are full of detergent and tend to add to add tons of sticky chemicals to your carpet, when you use them.  However, some professional carpet cleaning companies do offer quality no-rinse carpet spotters for their clients to purchase, and some of those are good.

If you aren’t sure, I would recommend to you simply do this when you find a spot in your carpet:

Make every effort to immediately blot spills with a white cotton terry towel.  However, if the spot is already dry, first gently scrape the spot with a spoon, then vacuum it.

Mix one cup of warm water with a few drops of liquid dish detergent (not the automatic kind). Get a white, cotton terry towel and moisten a corner with the detergent mixture. Next, blot the stain with the towel, then use a dry towel to blot again. Repeat if necessary.

If the carpet or rug is wool, use Woolite instead of dish detergent. Do not use “Oxyclean” or bleach.

If it is a pet stain, you should mix the detergent mixture 50/50 with an enzyme-based  pet deodorizer from a pet store. I recommend “Nature’s Miracle.”

If this doesn’t get it, you might try your fancy-schmancy vacuum cleaner with the hot water carpet cleaning feature, but don’t over-wet your carpet and if it isn’t working—give up. And, don’t over-mix your carpet detergent!

By the way, carpet manufacturers warranties require 12-to 18 month professional carpet cleanings in ALL areas by an IICRC certified company.

If you keep up on carpet spots and stains, you will have a beautiful carpet in-between annual professional carpet cleanings.

Retrieved from “http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/carpets-and-rugs-how-to-clean-spots-and-stains-2623880.html

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Bissell SpotLifter 2X Portable Deep Carpet Cleaner, 1719

  • Hand-held deep carpet cleaner for emergency spills and stains from Bissell
  • Cleaner brush agitates soiled spots while simultaneously sucking debris up and through the 7-inch nozzle; adept at odor-removal
  • Cordless, the 9.6v cleaner runs at full power for 15 minutes; charge for 24 hours before first use and 12 hours following subsequent uses
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The Bissell SpotLifter 2X handheld deep cleaner is the easiest way to clean spots and spills when they happen. It is cordless, rechargeable, and stores ready to use so it’s ready to quickly clean up spots and spills. With powerful spray and suction the SpotLifter 2X lifts and removes tough spots and stains when they happen. It is great for pet stains because it sprays, lifts and removes tough pet stain and eliminates pet odors. With a seven inch cleaning path, this machine runs for an average of

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Carpet Cleaning Company

Upstart Business Consulting Group creates comprehensive business plan kits for a variety of businesses and industries. When you purchase one of our business plan kits, you will have access to the tools that will allow you to be an entrepreneur. We only create business plan kits for businesses that can capitalize on current trends and consumer demand. All businesses we cover require an initial start-up capital investment of $1,000 to $10,000. Although the required start-up capital is relatively s

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Hoover Deep Cleansing Detergent, 48 Ounces, AH30110

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Hoover AH30110 Deep Cleansing detergent is an all purpose detergent created to remove everyday dirt and grime from carpets, area rugs, upholstry and car interiors. Tackles tough spots and stains in high traffic areas. Leaves your home smelling clean and fresh.

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Sweep Up the Profits If it can be cleaned, chances are people will pay you to clean it. Houses, carpet, upholstery, windows … the list goes on and on. A vast majority of dual-income families use cleaning services, which means your market is huge. Startup is easy and requires little initial investment. Allow our experts to teach you everything you need to know to start three of the most in-demand cleaning businesses—residential maid service, commercial janitorial service an

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The Best Way to Clean Tile and Grout

Posted by: on November 30, 2010

The Best Way to Clean Tile and Grout

The Best Way to Clean Tile and Grout

Budda Oliver states that tile is becoming a more preferred choice of flooring due to its durability, longer life span, and convenience when cleaning (2009). Tiles are simply easier to clean and maintain. They do not have as much dust production, keeping homes clear of dust mites. This sounds great but when time passes, tile and grout are just as susceptible to dirt, grime, and bacteria as other floorings, and just as them, require maintenance and care. Regular tracking on tiles, mopping with dirty water, and many other factors all contribute to this (Grosvenor, 2006). Grout is more venerable than tile, but both maybe at risk without proper care.

Many will argue that their tiles color is gone for good, but the fact is even if your tile changed to gray or even black, your original color is still there. Many look and seek ways to take care of matters in their own hands such as Carrie Grosvenor. She declares household methods using vinegar or baking soda along with other methods in cleaning and concealing grout and tile (2006). Truth is there are a lot of steps and factors to consider when caring for tiles and grout.

First, we look to see what colors we are dealing with. When working with colors other than white, bleach is the last chemical wanted as a cleaning agent in order to maintain the original presence. After determining the color the next step is to loosen all accumulated soil, grease, contaminants, and residues as much as possible, like pre-treatment.  Afterwards is the power scrub step. You want to then use a special surrogated bush to agitate the grout lines as well as tile surface. Grosvenor tells all self-doers to use a stiff brush, but nothing with metal bristles because they may cause the wearing away of the grout (2006). It is tough to know exactly the brush to use, which is why it is best to leave it to the professionals. The turbo rinse is the next cycle. The use of pressure-heated water captures and extracts all cleaning solutions and contaminates with the fluid control, difficult to do on your own without the profession equipment and knowledge to work it. These steps should then be repeated at a low Ph restorative cleaner and then dried speedily with high-powered air movers. After all is dried, the difficult stains will be visible, and then spot cleaning will then be necessary for all stains not removed. The reason we do not spot stain at the beginning is simply to avoid extra work. If there are stains you can get out with water, get it out with water! We are not going to jump to a high Ph balanced chemical if we do not have to. Lastly, be sure to participate in applying pigmented grout sealer to create a waterproof barrier to prevent future stains; routinely apply when necessary, usually yearly, to make routine maintenance easier.

For more information, as well as the main reference of the article, please refer Payless Carpet Cleaners at http://www.payless-carpet-cleaners.com/tile-cleaning.html or by telephone at (305)503-5868 or (954)671-1050.

References

Grosvenor, C. (2006). How to Clean Tile Grout. Retrieved January 20, 2009 at

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/steamcleangrout.

Oliver, B. Tile and Grout Cleaning. Retrieved January 20, 2009 at

Retrieved from “http://www.articlesbase.com/furniture-articles/the-best-way-to-clean-tile-and-grout-734309.html

(ArticlesBase SC #734309)

Learn the 4 Basic Elements of Cleaning anything and how to apply them to simplify the grout cleaning process.

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Which company offers the best rug cleaning Monmouth for a car?

Posted by: on August 21, 2010

 Rug cleaning Monmouth

Rug cleaning Monmouth" Question by njboricua78: Which company offers the best rug cleaning Monmouth for a car? A quart of milk spilled in my back seat on the main rug of the car, unbeknownst to me…. as I was driving my small cooler tipped over and the already-open jug of milk fell as well. I grabbed the cooler w/o realizing what happened until the following day when WHAM I get hit with the stench! My goodness it was horrible… I tried everything to clean it out myself to no avail… please advise what cleaning company would do an amazing job that's not too expensive! Thanks for the tips! Best answer:

Rug cleaning Monmouth

Answer by Giovani
you should drive into a car re-conditioning service they should have an "extractor" a carpet machine that forces hot water and chemical into the carpet and vacuums it back up. the same as household type but this one has a long hose and th correct nozzle to get to the small area of carpet They may charge .00 and worth it. or you could treat the area with ammonia let it soag for half an hour, vacume it up and cover the area with powder, let it stay on the carpet over nite, vacume it up and "repeat the above again" this should work also

Give your answer to this question below! -Rug cleaning Monmouth

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Miracle Dry Foam- keep ur carpet and upholstery clean!

Posted by: on August 13, 2010

Carpet Clean Dry on eBay:

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Persian rug cleaning tips

Posted by: on August 13, 2010

Persian rug cleaning tips

Persian rugs can add a divine feeling to any house. Owning an original Persian rug is like owning jewellery that adds colour as well as warmth to the environment and is a unique décor item. Buying a rug is quite easier thing, what most people find tough is to maintain it i.e. keeping it clean and also saving it from stains. It may not be mandatory to hire a Persian rug cleaner every time you spill anything on it as that may be really costly. As you take care of all your valuables, you must do that with your rugs as these are very expensive. Rugs can actually last for generations, if proper care is taken. Rather than hiring some specialist firm, you can use these tips and tricks to keep your rug clean but yes you must make it a routine to get it cleaned from a professional once or twice a year depending on its usage.

Rotate it every year depending on foot traffic for even as well as balanced wear. Rugs must not at all be exposed to direct sunlight as colours would fade. You can use curtains/ draperies, if required. You should not wait for your rug to get dirty before you start vacuuming it (take care of fringes). If some liquid gets spilled/ dropped on it, you need to act quickly before the rug absorbs it. Scoop us as much spill as possible, use dry cloth to blotter/ absorb the liquid. Blot again after applying warm water to stain or you can mix the laundry detergent along with warm water, if required. Blot area using clean dry cloth/paper towel and use hair dryer/ vacuum cleaner to dry the area. Over using of hair dryer can damage rug. For solid stains like chewing gum/ wax, try removing it using spoon and then follow the same procedure. Use ice to freeze chewing gum or wax, talcum powder for wine stains, dry cleaning solvent for makeup, blood, shoe polish, asphalt and butter, white vinegar for urine before applying warm water and detergent. In case the rug gets damaged, get it repaired only by an expert.

Persian rug cleaners take perfect care of the rugs as they have knowledge of particular fabric. They have number of ways for removing stains while protecting the fabric. You need not do lots of efforts as you surely have many other things at hand rather than just cleaning a treasured possession. So you can continue your routine without wasting any time in cleaning and call professional Persian rug cleaners.

Cleaning as well as Grooming of fringes is also performed by Persian rug cleaners after rug is dried. Special fringe tools are used that guarantees cleaning the fringes and making them white without using harmful bleaches. Worn and damaged fringes are restored/ re-weaved/ replaced by specialists to restore the original beauty of the rug. Grooming of fringes is done using brush that gives a soft and clean finish to the rug. Rugs are finally wrapped very carefully in paper and are ready to be delivered.

 

If you are looking for a reliable Rug Cleaning and Rug Repairs service go to http://www.kilimshop.co.uk Based in London we offer free collection and deliveries for all our rug cleaning and rug repairs customers. http://rug-repairs.com

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Cleaning Your Ceramic Tile

Posted by: on June 16, 2010

Cleaning Your Ceramic Tile

Many people hate the idea of cleaning ceramic tile, but love the look.  The grout in ceramic tile can collect a buildup of stains and dirt that is difficult to keep clean.  It is a lot easier to keep your ceramic tile clean if you use the right products.  There has been much advancement made in cleaning products and also the tiles that they clean.  You no longer have to break your back to clean your ceramic tile floor.

The tiles used in ceramic tile floors can vary widely in design and size.  They are usually made from a mixture of clays that are baked at extremely high temperatures.  The result is a very attractive and durable product that can be used for flooring.  You will find tiles can be unglazed or glazed.  The glazed tiles are the easiest to clean and keep clean. The unglazed tiles tend to soak in the dirt and grime that is on them.  If the unglazed tile has been sealed with a protective coat of sealant it will be a bit easier to clean than if it had not.  The stuff in between the tiles is called grout.  Grout is usually made up of cement and sand or silicone.  The cement and sand blend of grout is more difficult to clean than the silicone variety.  It is the look of cement grout that will make a homeowner choose it over the silicone grout.  If you maintain a seal on the grout, you will find that it is much easier to keep clean and will prevent the grout from becoming mildewed.  If the grout in your home has not been sealed you should consider taking care of that first.  But before you seal the grout you will have to make sure that it is clean.

The best approach to cleaning your tile floor is to use a grout floor cleaner.  Whether your tiles are glazed or unglazed you should always use a cleaning product that is designed for ceramic tiles.  The tiles can scratch very easily if you are not using the proper tools and cleaners.  If you use an abrasive cleaner you will scratch the tile and create a dull and unsightly tile floor.  The use of a grout floor cleaner will make sure that any germs and mildew are killed before you seal the grout. If you are unsure on how to clean your tile floor you should read the directions carefully on the cleaner label and check out the tips here.  The best way to clean a ceramic tile floor is with a good cleaning process and some simple maintenance.

If the first time you are cleaning a ceramic tile floor is going to be a deep cleaning you will want to let the grout tile floor cleaner soak in for a while.  This will make the cleaning process proceed much smoother.  The best thing you can do when you are cleaning a tile floor is make it as easy on yourself as possible.  The cleaning product as it soaks in to the floor will be loosening and softening the dirt that has been built up on the floor.  It will be a simpler process to pick the grime and dirt up if it has been soaked beforehand.  The soaking will also help the dirt in the grout become easier to clean up.  This will keep you from having to use brushes and scrubbing the grout.  No matter what you may have heard, this is not a good idea.  You will scratch the tile and ruin the look of your ceramic tile floor.  Some of the better floor and grout cleaners will protect your ceramic tile floor from heel marks on the floor.

A product that is made to clean grout is very strong.  You should make sure that you read the instructions carefully and wear rubber gloves when you are cleaning.  The label may also tell you to use the product in a well-ventilated area.  You will achieve the best results if you follow the instructions on your tile floor cleaning product.  The amount of time you will be required to let the product soak will vary from product to product so you will want to take note of the time required for this.  Once the cleaning is complete you should select a sealing product that is most appropriate for the type of flooring that you have.

The best way to keep your tile floor clean in between deep cleanings is to wipe it down with plain water regularly.  This will keep the buildup to a minimum and make the job of deep cleaning much easier.  You should also spray your floor down with a product that will minimize the growth of mildew regularly between deep cleanings.  This preventative maintenance of your ceramic tile floor will make your floor easier to clean and your back will thank you for it.

 

The Fuller Brush Company has been in business since 1906, and offers safe, environmentally friendly products for keeping your home and your body clean. Visit http://www.fuller-brush-products.com or Call # 1-800-992-1089

Clean rinse is the final step in grouting tile. All you're doing here is just cleaning off the grout residue. Again get a clean sponge and a bucket of clean water, dip the sponge in the water, wring it out and wipe the tile and the grout lines clean. Use each side of the sponge only once, this will give you a cleaner look and believe it or not will actually speed up the cleaning process. Again, here also, do not apply too much pressure because you will start pulling out the grout and you grout lines will not look flush. Video Rating: 4 / 5


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Rug Restorer Wool Rug Odor Deodorizer Carpet Cleaning

Posted by: on June 16, 2010

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Cleaning Tile Floors In 5 Speedy Fun Steps

Posted by: on June 16, 2010

Cleaning Tile Floors In 5 Speedy Fun Steps

Whoo it’s tile cleaning time, and you got to admit that after you do it the results really show and shine and you can’t help but feel the rush of accomplishment. In these 5 steps I’ll give you a that fast track way to clean your tile floors in less strain, and more gain. Also, I’ll give you insight into a simple ingredient will make cleaning tile safe for your family’s health and the environment friendly too.

Let’s get busy.

1. Get Rid of the Debris
Get the crud of the floor! There’s really no use in skipping this step, So, grab your vacuum or a broom and do it right. If you go straight to mopping like I did once (or trice), or do a halfazz job here, guess what? You really set yourself up for sadness when your mop is sticking to debris and all your doing is pushing soggy dust bunnies from one place to another.

Get busy with the broom buddy.

2. Mix up the homemade super cleaner
That’s right we’re going to be clean and green (and healthy for your whole family) with a cleaner that you can make at home that 10X more effective than any toxic chemical cleaner you would pick up at the grocery store; yay!

Snatch up the nearest Jug of white vinegar and measure out a cup of it to be mixed with 1 Gallon of hot and steamy water. Oh yes, Vinegar has the magic title cleaning power as you’ll soon find out.

3. No Joke, Just Soak
The beauty of cleaning tile floors with our magic mixture is the high level of non-work, because you get to make that tile wet, really wet; not crazy "slip and slide" wet but wet enough so that it does not evaporate in 10 minutes.

With the floor wet, Just let it soak, the vinegar (acid) will work away at the grime and grodies while think about how impressed your friends will be when they see your superiorly clean floor.

4. Scrubbing Love
Enough daydreaming, you could do something useful while your floor soaks. Do some scrubbing on the grout and the stubborn spots; These spots really shout DIRTY so shut them up with a vigorous rub with a sponge scrubby (it’s a sponge with one side scrubby and the other side soft sponge) or a scrub brush works too.

5. Two Times the Rinse

Ok, scrubbing done, and the floor has been soaking a good while. Fill your bucket with clean warm water tightly Ring out the mop and soak up all the excess cleaning mix off the floor with a good wipe down.
Refresh your bucket with new warm water, this time dip and ring it out not as tightly. Polish the floor with figure eights like figure skaters until you covered the entire surface. Now let Dry

Done like dinner; and your floor tile is so clean it shines like Celine Dion (ha!) , if you’re like me you’ll admire your work for a while and reprimand the disrespectful few who try walking on it.

 

Sid Green is overly obsessed with efficient cleanliness while being environmentally responsible; it’s kindly creepy, actually. You can check out his blog where you’ll find more secret tips on Cleaning Tile Floors; including another eco-friendly agent that’s even more cost effective then vinegar! Visit CleanGreenBean.com and join the Clean Green Revolution.

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Leather Restoration Workshop Manual & Video Tutorials.

Posted by: on June 14, 2010

Leather Restoration Workshop Manual & Video Tutorials. How To Repair & Restore Leather Upholstery, Saving You A Fortune In Replacement Costs! Leather Restoration Expert With Over 28 Years Experience Reveals Tricks Of The Trade. Now, You Can Use The Step-by-step Method To Create Results You'll Be Proud Of. Leather Restoration Workshop Manual & Video Tutorials. Classic Motorcycle Restoration Tips. Discover The Joys Of Classic Motorcycle Restoration. Classic Motorcycle Restoration Tips. Restoring Your Collector Car. The Ultimate Step By Step Restoration Guide For Classic Car Lovers. Restore Your Car In Your Garage Fast. Restoring Your Collector Car.

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