Which carpet cleaning method is best for my floor? Newport Beach CA

Which carpet cleaning method is best for my floor?

When it’s time to have your carpet cleaned, it’s important to know your options. There are five different methods of carpet cleaning for you to choose from: shampooing, dry cleaning, foam cleaning, bonnet cleaning and hot water extraction. Before you schedule a service appointment, make sure you know what you’re getting and how effective it will be in your home.

1. Shampooing

This is probably the least effective method of cleaning. The reason why is that special detergents are applied to the carpet, given a little “scrub” and then the shampooed carpet is vacuumed.

The detergents have brighteners and deodorizers that leave your room smelling good and making the carpet seem brighter. However, much of the dirt remains in the carpet.

It’s the equivalent of you shampooing your hair without water and hoping a breeze takes away all of the dried shampoo and dirt. You will quickly notice that the dirt and stains quickly reappear.

2. Dry cleaning

Dry cleaning and foam cleaning are very similar to shampooing. However, dry cleaning is often considered preferable because there is no need to wait for the carpets to dry.

Instead of a wet product or foam, a special cleaning powder that is designed to attract dirt is applied to the carpet. Once the powder is worked into the carpet, it is thoroughly vacuumed away.

3. Foam cleaning 

This method works the same way as dry cleaning, except it uses a minimal amount of water and foam detergent. Either one of these methods will only clean the top third of the carpet. These can be good choices for interim cleanings. However, badly stained areas of carpet won’t be affected by either of these two types of cleaning.

4. Bonnet cleaning

This method is used in office buildings as they have commercial/industrial grade carpeting. Most home carpet would be damaged with this method of cleaning. Bonnet cleaning entails applying a chemical detergent and then using an absorbent pad on a rotary shampoo machine to rid the dirt.

5. Hot water extraction

This is also be known as “steam cleaning.” There are the portable machines that you can rent, but the most effective are the industry, truck-mounted systems. Newer or well-maintained systems can remove up to 95 percent of the water used in the cleaning process.

Professionals that buy used equipment to save costs may not be any more effective than a portable machine. Make sure you hire a company that keeps their equipment current.

Hot water extraction entails using a powerful machine that injects a solution of very hot water and detergent into the carpet. The mixture is then powerfully extracted by the machine, leaving the carpets looking and smelling like new.

Most importantly, this method removes as much of the ground-in bacteria, dirt, soil and stains as possible. Once again, make sure you hire well-trained carpet cleaning technicians. If they over-wet your carpets, the moisture left in carpet can encourage mold growth.

When it’s time to have your carpet professional cleaned, make sure you understand what type of cleaning they provide and how effective it will be on your soiled carpet.

Shampooing, dry cleaning and foam cleaning companies will be able to provide a large square footage of cleaning for a much lower cost than a reputable hot water extraction company, but the quality of the cleaning will be much lower, too.

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What are the best carpet cleaning methods? Newport Beach CA

What are the best carpet cleaning methods?

Carpet cleaning runs the gamut from store-bought products to rented steam cleaners and professional cleaning services. You have several different options when it comes to refreshing your carpets, but how do you know which is best for your home?

At-home carpet cleaning methods

There’s a wide range of carpet cleaning products for under $10 that use a combination of chemicals to break down and lift stains out of your carpet. Popular examples include spray-on products and carpet cleaning powders that can be applied and then vacuumed up.

One benefit to at-home carpet cleaning products is they can be used to remove small stains and for spot treatments. They’re also less expensive than other methods, and they have a short drying time.

However, the chemicals in these products, including perchloroethylene and naphthalene, can cause damage to the central nervous system if inhaled in large amounts. Some store-bought cleaning products have been know to bleach carpets, so it’s always wise to test a small section of carpet before applying it throughout your home.

Renting carpet cleaners from a store

To deal with larger stains or clean the entire house, some homeowners choose to rent a steam-cleaning machine from their local supermarket or hardware store. These machines are often available for $20 to $30 per day, and usually require a security deposit. You may also have to purchase cleaning chemicals separately. Be sure to follow directions that come with the cleaner to make sure it isn’t damaged during use.

It’s also important to note that despite the name, these machines don’t actually use steam to clean. Instead, they use hot water in combination with detergent to soak your carpet, and then use powerful suction to suck the water back out.

Some of the benefits to renting a carpet cleaning machines is they are inexpensive and are typically more effective than store-bought carpet cleaning products. However, they also have a long drying time, and the tanks need to be changed periodically as they fill with dirty carpet water.

Hiring a professional service

Another option is to hire a professional cleaning service. These companies use steam-cleaning or dry cleaning methods to refresh your carpets.

Professional steam-cleaning machines are similar to the type you can rent, except that actually use high-powered steam to remove stains. Dry cleaning methods use almost no water, instead relying on chemicals to break them down. Once destroyed, the stains can be vacuumed up.

Professional companies may charge per square foot or by the room. Some charge extra for cleaning stairs or moving furniture.

Many companies now use eco-friendly products. In addition, they know how to effectively remove chemical residue and can recommend specific cleaning methods based on your carpet type, its age and the type of cleaning you need.

Professional services are generally more effective and removing stains than other carpet cleaning methods. The main drawbacks include the higher cost and longer drying time.

Pacific Carpet & Tile Cleaning of Newport Beach, CA preforms Steam Carpet Cleaning, Tile Floor Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, Marble/ Travertine Floor Polishing and our new service, Wood Floor Refinishing.  Pacific Has been servicing the Newport Beach, ca area for over 25 years and we offer the most Affordable Carpet, Tile & Upholstery cleaning in Newport Beach and the Orange County area. Check out our Up-Front Pricing!  Our BBB A Rating and customer references speak for themselves.

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How long will it take for my carpet to dry after cleaning? Newport Beach, CA

How long will it take for my carpet to dry after cleaning?

So you just had your carpets cleaned. They certainly needed it and the technician did a great job, but now he’s telling you that you can’t go into any of the rooms he cleaned until the carpet dries. How long will that take?

You’ve got the dog chained outside, the cat’s been locked into a bathroom and she’s starting to express her displeasure loudly. Meanwhile, the kids are on their third time through their video in the breakfast room and you’ve got company coming this evening.

The answer to this question depends on who you call to do the work. With a “clean and go” service, you’re at the mercy of the weather. Sure, the carpets will dry pretty quick if it’s hot and sunny outside, but that will require you opening all the doors and windows.

If it’s rainy outside, your carpets will dry some time after it stops raining. Even then, there’s that squishy, sticky feeling that doesn’t go away for a few hours further.

On the other hand, some companies bring fans instead of relying on natural evaporation. These fans aren’t your typical box fans that you break out on a hot day, but are much more powerful and are custom made to dry your carpets.

The proper equipment for drying carpets is fans that are used by companies that clean up after flooding. Floor fans are the quickest and most efficient way to dry your carpets. They move large volumes of air just above the surface of the carpet, evaporating the moisture more quickly.

Two fans can dry your carpet in as little as 20 minutes. With one floor being dried while the next room is being cleaned, you can be back on your wonderfully clean and dry carpet within minutes instead of hours.

Pacific Carpet & Tile Cleaning of Newport Beach, CA preforms Steam Carpet Cleaning, Tile Floor Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, Marble/ Travertine Floor Polishing and our new service, Wood Floor Refinishing.  Pacific Has been servicing the Newport Beach, ca area for over 25 years and we offer the most Affordable Carpet, Tile & Upholstery cleaning in Newport Beach and the Orange County area. Check out our Up-Front Pricing!  Our BBB A Rating and customer references speak for themselves.

Our company has over 25 years of experience in the carpet and tile cleaning industry. We provide customers with reliable solutions for all of their carpet cleaning and tile & grout cleaning needs. Our company also offers upholstery cleaning, marble/travertine floor polishing, and wood floor refinishing services that our customers can count on. Our BBB rating is an A, and we are happy to have over 12,000 satisfied customers. Our customer reviews are positive, and we always believe in offering quality services. We have powerful industrial strength cleaning equipment that we use for all of our services.Carpet Cleaning

If you need our carpet cleaning expertise, we are ready to assist you. We will pre-vacuum, pre-condition, and offer spot treatments so that your carpet looks as good as it did when you first bought it. Our steam extraction process is done by highly trained personal. Our technicians know what type of cleaning products and supplies should be used on each carpet or rug material. We will safely clean one room of carpet or an entire house or building full. We understand the importance of having clean and deodorized carpets to help your building look its best.

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Carpet cleaning: Pros and cons of different carpet cleaning methods – Newport Beach CA

Carpet cleaning: Pros and cons of different carpet cleaning methods

Professional carpet cleaning companies use several carpet cleaning methods to clean a home’s carpets. Each cleaning method has its own particular advantages and disadvantages. But how do you choose between them? Review these pros and cons before deciding which method you would like to be used to clean your carpet.

Basically, carpet cleaning methods may be placed in one of two categories: wet cleaning or dry cleaning. Wet cleaning includes hot water extraction and can include cleaning with an absorbent pad. Dry carpet cleaning involves the use of chemical powders or foams applied by special machines with counter rotating brushes, pads or cylinders.

1. Wet cleaning

How it works

Also known as hot water extraction or steam cleaning, the carpet is first pre-conditioned with a chemical reagent that liquefies soils and oil-based substances which may be present in the carpet fibers. Water is heated to a temperature near its boiling point and pressurized, then injected into the carpet. After about 10 to 15 minutes, the solution is extracted with a vacuum.

Pros

  • Gets out soiling from deep down in the carpet
  • Allows the use of high temperatures, pressures and chemical concentrates
  • Permits extended dwell times for reaction of cleaning solvents
  • Chemical reactivity facilitated by agitation with grooming tool or extraction wand
  • Most  widely used method
  • Recommended by carpet manufacturers and industry cleaning experts and professionals

Cons

  • Relatively long drying time, but this can be reduced with the use of powerful equipment by competent technicians
  • Expensive equipment usually required for maximum efficiency
  • Relatively high cost factors

2. Cleaning with an absorbent pad

How it works

This carpet cleaning method is also commonly known as bonnet cleaning and is most often used for routine light maintenance. It can also be used for regular carpet cleaning. The carpet is first vacuumed, and then a chemical solution is sprayed unto it with a hand pump or electric sprayer. The solution is allowed to stay on the carpet for a suitable dwell or reaction time.

The absorbent pad or bonnet, which looks like a towel, is placed on the drive block of a rotary floor machine and spun over the carpet surface at 100 to 300 rpm. This action serves to impregnate the carpet fibers with the chemical solution and then pick it up with the soils afterwards.

Pros

  • Fast, simple and inexpensive
  • Excellent results with lightly soiled carpets

Cons

  • Only cleans the top one-third of carpet fibers, incapable of reaching deeper down
  • Leaves dirt and chemicals to accumulate at the bottom of the carpet fibers

3. Dry cleaning with an absorbent compound

How it works

A powder that has been mixed with special solvents and cleaning agents is spread over the carpet, and then worked into the carpet fibers with a machine fitted with counter-rotating brushes. The powder absorbs soils in the carpet fibers. After it’s allowed to set on the carpet for 10 to 15 minutes, it’s vacuumed up.

Pros

  • Very simple system with no special technical training required
  • Very fast drying, it typically only takes about 20 minutes before the carpet can be back in service

Cons

  • Powder may be trapped in plush pile carpets and left to build up over time
  • Can cause excessive dust build-up in the home
  • Unable to clean deep down into the carpet

4. Dry foam or rotary shampoo method

How it works

A cleaning agent is applied to the carpet to help suspend dirt and debris in the carpet, which is then whipped into foam and worked into the carpet fibers with the rotating brushes of a special machine. After a short dwell time, the foam is extracted with a vacuum.

Pros

  • Fast, simple to apply and inexpensive
  • Rotating brushes provide excellent agitation
  • Small amount of moisture allows fast drying of carpet

Cons

  • Unable to achieve thorough soil extraction below the surface of the carpet
  • High temperatures usually not achieved
  • Excessive wetting possible with equipment malfunction

Pacific Carpet & Tile Cleaning of Newport Beach, CA preforms Steam Carpet Cleaning, Tile Floor Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, Marble/ Travertine Floor Polishing and our new service, Wood Floor Refinishing.  Pacific Has been servicing the Newport Beach, ca area for over 25 years and we offer the most Affordable Carpet, Tile & Upholstery cleaning in Newport Beach and the Orange County area. Check out our Up-Front Pricing!  Our BBB A Rating and customer references speak for themselves.  Our company has over 25 years of experience in the carpet and tile cleaning industry. We provide customers with reliable solutions for all of their carpet cleaning and tile & grout cleaning needs. Our company also offers upholstery cleaning, marble/travertine floor polishing, and wood floor refinishing services that our customers can count on. Our BBB rating is an A, and we are happy to have over 12,000 satisfied customers. Our customer reviews are positive, and we always believe in offering quality services. We have powerful industrial strength cleaning equipment that we use for all of our services.Carpet Cleaning

If you need our carpet cleaning expertise, we are ready to assist you. We will pre-vacuum, pre-condition, and offer spot treatments so that your carpet looks as good as it did when you first bought it. Our steam extraction process is done by highly trained personal. Our technicians know what type of cleaning products and supplies should be used on each carpet or rug material. We will safely clean one room of carpet or an entire house or building full. We understand the importance of having clean and deodorized carpets to help your building look its best.

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Newport Beach Residential Carpet Cleaning

Call or click here to receive a10% Discount

Carpet cleaning technicians understand that the rugs and other surfaces in your place often need extra attention As a business with your wishes in mind we provide one of a kind residential services to refresh all of your carpet and upholstered surfaces. We provide high quality residential carpet cleaning solutions for Newport Beach and the surrounding region. Your experience with our carpet cleaning members is ready to leave you content and your space healthier. When you choose us we send our skillfully trained team of technicians who specialize in residential cleaning to your home. We can send cleaners anywhere in the Santa Ana area to handle all of your residential carpet cleaning needs.

Carpet cleaning specialists understands that you wish to have your carpet, tile and upholstery disinfected when its convenient. Our team also knows how many of us live. We believe how hard it is to find time to deep clean and deodorize your carpets, upholstery and tile. Our Carpet cleaning business provides optimal hours and availability to fit any scheduling requirements throughout the property of our customers. Not only do we have flexible service but we hold the ability to treat voluminous surfaces and soils. We can clean a variety of surfaces which get messy in most residences from tile to furniture and drapes. Our team is created to work within your convenience for the health and beauty of your residence. Our team od specialists are always ready to do the most amazing job in the timeliest manner with your joy and contentmentS in mind.

As the leader in residential carpet cleaning we offer a variety of services from regular carpet cleaning to tile and grouted surfaces. We can disinfect tile floors and showers, remove pet stains from furniture, or food residue from carpets. Providing a versatile and full service residential cleaning business is one of our main goals. Carpet cleaning specialists can clean virtually any stain from almost any carpet or upholstered surface that you may have in your home. Residential services are ideal for those who want to have the surfaces in their home deep cleaned with trained professionals at a good price.

Our business promises the members of our team who clean your floors keep the best interest of you and your home in mind. Our carpet cleaning techs are trained in effectively utilizing all cleaning solutions and removing soiled spots from multiple surfaces . Our carpet cleaning team is taught that offering excellent service with a smile is a chief goal in our company. Our specialists don’t worry that you will be thrilled with our residential cleaning methods and the cleaning done by our thorough professionals. We are so undoubtful that our carpet cleaning specialists will pass up all of your residential carpet cleaning expectati0ons that we guarantee your satisfaction.

Our complete cleaning experience will swiftly satisfy all of your home carpet cleaning desires. We come to your place giving flexible scheduling and friendly carpet cleaning service. Carpet cleanong specialists are conveniently located in Santa Ana to handle all of the areas carpet and upholstery cleaning issues. Offering full service, state of the art, residential carpet cleaning with total customer satisfaction to Santa Ana and the surrounding community. If you’re sleuthing for a dependable honest and customer oriented residential carpet cleaner near you check out our Santa Ana location. Try (949) 545-5205 now and have one of our customer specialists provide you full details on our residential carpet cleaning services in the Newport Beach area. Or find us online now by clicking here.

View Our Price List

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Affordable Carpet and Furniture Cleaning in Newport Beach CA

Affordable Carpet and Furniture Cleaning serves Newport Beach and Orange County areas.

 

Current Special Pricing:

Whole House Cleaning: $199 – Max 8 (10×12)Areas – with Additional Areas: $25

4 Areas: $119.00    Minimum Charge: $65.00

Upholstery Cleaning: Sofa (3 cushion) $99.00, Loveseat $69.00, Chair $49.00, Ottoman $15.00Teflon Advanced for Carpet: $15.00 per Area

Motor Homes, Campers $119.00 Up

Some Major Spots (Urine, Blood, Grape Juice, etc.): $25.00

Commercial: Monthly/Quarterly pricing

 

Why Do Our Carpet Cleaning Service Customers Return Again and Again?

 

What’s the big deal with carpet cleaning? A little water… a little soap, now vacuum it up. You’ve got clean carpet, right? Wrong!! Soap is the problem. Can you imagine cleaning your car without rinsing the soap off? The soap would leave a sticky residue which would actually attract dirt. Now, imagine the film left in your carpet, making it stiff and/or sticky and attracting dirt faster than before you cleaned it.

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The professionals carpet cleaners at Affordable Carpet Cleaning use a patented Hot Water Extraction System for cleaning. Our system utilizes super heated water and water softener to remove dirt and bacteria without soap or harsh chemicals. We don’t need it. The super heated water breaks  up dirt and grease without damaging the fibers or over-wetting your carpet. Affordable Carpet Cleaning’s proprietary recirculation system keeps the clean, hot water moving from the tank to the wand so it doesn’t have a chance to cool down sitting in the line. Powerful Vacuums then extract the dirty water, leaving your carpets clean, soft and odor free.

Carpet can be an expensive investment. You want to take the best possible care of it to keep it looking great for as long as possible. We recommend vacuuming weekly to remove abrasive particles that can damage the fibers of you carpet as well as a professional affordable cleaning twice a year by the professionals at Affordable Carpet Cleaners.

 

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  • FAST RESPONSE – Affordable Carpet Cleaning Service is built on a strong foundation of providing quality customer service each time, every time. We believe in exceeding our customers’ expectations
  • CUSTOMER SERVICE – Affordable Carpet Cleaning Service is committed to providing quality customer service every time… ALL of the time! We believe in exceeding your expectations.
  • CONSISTENT QUALITY – Whether a job is small or large, the professionals carpet cleaners at Affordable Carpet Cleaning Service will provide the highest level of service. We use state-of-the-art technology and equipment as well as the best cleaning products available to ensure a consistent high quality service.
  • PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED STAFF – Our staff receive the highest level of training in cleaning and restoration services.

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Ceramic Tile Cleaning and Stone Maintenance – Newport Beach CA

Ceramic Tile Cleaning and Stone Maintenance – Newport Beach CA

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Ceramic Tile – Routine Care

Contaminants and spills on a glazed ceramic tile are, generally, easier to clean than most other unglazed ceramic and porcelain surfaces. Glazed tile products should be cleaned routinely with an all-purpose, low VOC household or commercial cleaner. The product chosen should also be grout joint cleaning compatible. The type of product may vary depending on the tile application and use. A multipurpose spray cleaner, which removes soap scum, hard water deposits, and mildew designed for every day use, can be used on wall tile areas in residential baths and showers.

The entire area should be cleaned and scrubbed with cleaner solution through the use of a cotton mop, cloth, sponge, or non-metallic brush. The entire area should be rinsed with clean water to remove any cleaning solution residue. Remember that you should sweep or vacuum floor areas prior to cleaning to remove any dust or debris. Routine cleaners should never contain hazardous or polluting products including, but not limited to acids or ammonia. Acids can damage the grout and the glazed surface of the tile, and ammonia can discolor the grout.

Unglazed tile should be cleaned routinely with concentrated tile cleaners that have a neutral pH for safe regular use. These cleaners are better suited at removing grease, oils and normal spills from unglazed products. Again these products will vary depending on the application, amount of traffic and the use. The product chosen should also be compatible with cleaning the grout joints at the same time.

Removal of Sealers/Waxes/Floor Finishes:

If you need to remove a topical sealer or floor wax from a ceramic tile you should use a Tile Sealer & Adhesive remover. Always test a small area first. Apply a liberal amount of undiluted sealer & adhesive remover to a manageable area. Allow setting without drying until coating or residue softens. Reapply if necessary until sealer softens and can be removed. If necessary, agitate with white nylon scrub pad. Wipe up the residue with a cotton towel or sponge. Rinse thoroughly with clean water. Do not use on natural stone products.

Glass Tiles:

For routine cleaning, use any non-abrasive cleaning compound recommended for either glass or tile

Metal Signatures/Metal Ages/Urban Metals:

To clean, use a liquid non-abrasive household cleaner.

DO NOT use scouring pads, steel wool, sandpaper or other abrasive products.

Avoid cleaners containing ammonia, bleach, abrasives, or other hazardous/polluting compounds.

Always test in small inconspicuous area while using a new cleaner to ensure compatibility.

 

Ceramic Tile – Grout Care

Grout is the material used to fill the spaces between the individual tiles. Grout comes in many colors. While color is important to the final finished look of the tile installation, it has little effect on the functionality of the grout. The purpose of grout is, simply, to fill the joint between the tiles and becomes a permanent, integral component of the finished installation.

Penetrating/Impregnating Sealer:

Most tile installations use cementitious grouts. This type of grout should be sealed after installation to prevent the color from staining. The grout should be sealed with a penetrating/impregnating sealer (often called grout sealers) which does not contain silicone, as silicone can shorten the useful life of the sealer. Epoxy grouts, conversely, are chemically cured and acid resistant and, as a result, do not require a sealer. The application of a good quality penetrating/impregnating sealer into the grout joints of a cementitious grout will not change the natural color of the grout, but will prevent the penetration of moisture, simplify maintenance, and help prevent staining or discoloration. Only the grout needs to be sealed, not glazed floor or wall tiles. Grout can be sealed seventy-two hours after installation.

There are different grades of penetrating/impregnating sealers, therefore the useful life and price will differ between a low quality and high quality sealer. You may need to reapply the sealer on an annual basis depending on the sealer quality, traffic patterns, and maintenance routine. Some sealers have multiple year warranties for useful life. Refer to the manufacturer warranty, technical & product information for specific details on product installation, useful life, and product applications (including any warnings) before use.

Grout Maintenance:

Neither sealing the grout nor using a 100% Epoxy Grout will guarantee against surface build-up or discoloration of the grout. Grout needs to be cleaned on a periodic basis to remove any surface build-up. Routine grout cleaning can be done with a daily concentrated household or commercial cleaner depending on the application. When heavy duty grout cleaning is required, you will need to use a professional strength Tile & Grout Cleaner that is capable of removing grease, soap scum, body oil, mildew stains, algae, and synthetic or acrylic waxes from the grout joints. However, such a product should contain non-polluting chemicals and low VOC levels. This type of product can be purchased from most Home Centers, or through your local professional Floor Covering Dealer.

Grout Color Restoration:

When grout has been stained to the point that it cannot be maintained or returned to its natural color, you can return the grout back to its original color or any other color through the use of a “grout stain”. Grout Stains are epoxy-based products that are specifically designed to penetrate into the grout and seal the surface with a permanent color. Once the grout has been stained there is no need to seal it any further with a penetrating/impregnating sealer. Prior to staining, the grout joint should be cleaned thoroughly to remove any dirt, oils, grease or sealers with a professional strength Tile & Grout Cleaner. This can be purchased from most Home Centers or through your local Professional Floor Covering Dealer.

 

Ceramic Tile – New Installations

Immediately after tile has been properly installed and grouted, the new installation should be covered with brown paper to protect it from debris during the remaining construction process. The grout joints should be dampened daily with clear water using a clean sponge or mop during the first 7 days. This procedure facilitates the grout cure and color lock. The paper will allow for two important things: (1) to protect the newly installed tile grout and (2) to allow moisture to escape from the grout as it cures further protecting the look and utility of the floor. This is an important step in achieving color consistency. Never use plastic or non-absorbent materials to protect freshly installed tile. These types of non-absorbent products will trap moisture causing the grout to discolor during the curing period. The protective brown paper should remain until construction is complete and the floor is opened for intended (post-construction) use.

Pre-Grout Treatments:

Some unglazed tile products have rough or open pores in the surface that can trap grout particles during the grouting process. These grout particles become difficult to remove and can leave a stained appearance on the surface of the tile. For these products it is necessary to seal them with a pre-grout sealer to protect them from trapping the microscopic grout particles. This will also ease the grout clean-up process. Industry guidelines recommend that, prior to grouting, you seal terra cotta, saltillo, porcelain, and brick or quarry pavers with a high quality penetrating/impregnating sealer or with a temporary grout release sealer. Always test an area first to obtain best results. Glazed wall or floor tile products do not need to be sealed prior to grouting.

Post-Grout Clean-Up:

Grout haze is a film that has been left behind on the surface of the tile as part of the final grouting process. Usually this is buffed off the surface after the grout has achieved its initial 12 to 24 hour cure. The removal of the haze is often difficult when buffing with a clean rag or floor machine. Cementitious grout haze can be successfully removed with “Sulfamic” acid, which is a mild acid that attacks and breaks down cement smears. There are several products on the market called grout haze removers, which usually contain Sulfamic acid. Sulfamic acid can also be purchased in powder form and mixed with water to different strengths by qualified professionals. Similarly, 100% Solids Epoxy Grout haze can be removed with an Epoxy Haze Remover. These removers are formulated to safely and quickly remove cured epoxy haze from new tile installations. Their unique formulation will soften most epoxy hazes for easy removal without damaging the grout or tile, usually in one application. Sulfamic acid or grout removers should never be used on Natural Stone products.

 

Natural Stone – Routine Care

Natural Stone Care & Maintenance

To insure your natural stone products will provide you with a lifetime of aesthetics and utility, a proper maintenance program is crucial. Natural Stone products are porous by nature and require a different maintenance program than traditional ceramic tile.

Natural stone requires a different maintenance routine than traditional, man-made ceramic tile. Many of the cleaners acceptable for use on ceramic tile can stain, damage or dull stone. Dirt and dust will scratch the surface of stone. Therefore, stone floors should be vacuumed or dust mopped frequently to remove abrasive agents from the stone surface. Natural stone should be cleaned with neutral cleaners. Stone cleaners should never contain acid or bleach. Acids, even a light solution of vinegar and water, will etch and eventually damage natural stone.

Stone Cleaners:

Only use cleaners specifically designed for cleaning stone. These cleaners contain no acids and are concentrated neutral pH cleaners that will not affect existing sealers or wax-type coatings. The surface of the stone should be dampened with clear water. This will keep the cleaning solution on the surface so it can be effective. A solution of the cleaner and water missed to manufacturer instructions should be applied to the stone surface with a sponge or mop. On walls, kitchen counters or vanity tops, a spray bottle can be used to apply the cleaning solution. Allow sitting for manufacturers specified amount of time (usually 3 to 5 minutes). Agitate with a sponge, synthetic mop, soft bristle brush or through the use of a floor-scrubbing machine. Mop up dirty solution and buff dry.

Once the stone has been cleaned, you can periodically apply a Spray-Buff wax-type floor finish to enhance the beauty and luster of polished stone (including countertops). Apply the finish with a spray applicator and buff immediately with a white nylon pad. Reapply as often as needed, depending on volume of surface traffic and consistency of routine maintenance program. This product is not designed to restore the original shine, but is intended to maintain and protect the original shine. This can be purchased from most Home Centers or through your local Professional Floor Covering Dealer.

Heavy-Duty Stone Cleaning:

When some areas have been neglected, you will need to use a heavy-duty non-hazardous and non-polluting stone cleaner and degreaser to effectively remove dirt, grease, grime, waxes and floor finishes. An optimal heavy-duty cleaner should contain low percentages of volatile organic compounds. These cleaning products are concentrated and designed to deep clean the stone without damaging it. Apply the solution of the cleaner and water mixed to manufacturer instructions to the stone surface with a sponge or mop. Allow setting for manufacturer-specified amount of time. Agitate with a sponge, synthetic mop, and soft bristle brush or through the use of a floor-scrubbing machine. Mop up dirty solution and buff dry. Be sure to change out the cleaning solution every 100 square feet to avoid reintroducing dirty water during the cleaning process. Rinse thoroughly with clean water when finished. After cleaning you may apply the Spray-Buff wax-type floor finish to enhance the natural shine.

Stain Removal:

Stone poultice will remove stains and grout haze from stone. Poultice is a fine, nonacidic, absorptive clay cleaning powder that removes deep-set oil stains, grease and light cementitious grout haze from polished and unpolished natural stone.

CAUTION: Poultice may dull the shine of the polished stone. If this occurs you will need to use a marble polish to restore the natural shine.

Restoration:

If a marble finish has become dull, scratched or etched, you can restore the natural shine through the use of a marble polish. Some marble polishes are available in kits. The process can be enhanced with the use of floor buffing machines. The process is generally a re-crystallization process to remove fine scratches and restore the original shine and polish to the stone. This is not an application of a topical sealer or wax to cover-up damaged or worn surfaces.

 

Natural Stone – New Installations

Sealing is strongly recommended for newly installed marble and other natural stone to provide maximum below surface stain protection. Consult your Professional Floor Covering Dealer or Home Center Store to ensure that you select a high quality sealer to protect your natural stone. Immediately after natural stone has been installed and grouted, the new installation should be covered with brown paper to protect it from debris during the remaining construction process. The protective brown paper should remain in place until construction is completed and the area is opened to intended (post-construction) use.

Pre-grout Sealing:

A non-sanded grout is strongly recommended for natural stone installations due to the narrow grout joints customarily preferred. This type of grout has very fine particles of cement, polymers and color pigments that can penetrate the microscopic pores of the stone surface where they become trapped and appear as a stain in the stone. Therefore, all travertine, slate, tumbled stone and honed/flamed/unpolished granite should be sealed prior to the grouting process to protect them from staining. The application of a good quality sealer should be used as a grout sealer and applied again as the final sealing process once the installation is finished.

Sealing:

A premium natural look penetrating/impregnating sealer is the normal choice on polished or honed marble, limestone, granite, or where the natural color of a slate is desired. A stone enhancer sealer is often used on tumbled, antique stones or on slate where a darker, enriched or highlighted character is desired. When choosing either one of these types of sealers, make sure the brand you have chosen is formulated to provide maximum stain protection for stone products. Stone products should be tested periodically per manufacturer’s instructions to insure that the sealer is working effectively.

Penetrating/impregnating stone sealers are a no-sheen, natural look sealer that can be water-based or solvent-based, good for interior and exterior applications. Most quality sealers of this type are rated to protect the stone for several years.

Stone enhancer sealers are also a no-sheen, penetrating/impregnating sealer that is formulated to darken, enrich and highlight the natural color and beauty of stone products. They will rejuvenate and improve the appearance of worn and weathered stone. Always test loose pieces of stone to ensure desired effect with enhancing sealers. However, they will also darken the color of grout joints. They are, generally, suitable for interior and exterior use, and rated to protect the stone for several years.

Always reference manufacturer’s literature for specific information on the duration of the sealer’s protection and make sure that the sealer is applied in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Finishing:

A stone floor finish should be applied to a polished natural stone floor only. This type of product will help enhance the shine and provide a protective coating for “soft” or polished marbles. Verify the finish is a wax-type finish designed to add luster and enhance the beauty of sealed and polished natural stone only. A topical finish may change the appearance and performance of your stone, so always test a small area first. Application of topical sealer or wax should never be done as an attempt to add a shine to a honed, scratched or non-polished stone product. This will only create maintenance and/or slip resistance problem.

 

Saltillo Tile – Routine Care

Soft clay tiles are categorized as specialty use products, and as such they are generally not governed by the same requirements as glazed or unglazed ceramic tile. These products will require some type of topical sealer protection. These sealers are designed to provide stain resistance and a durable finish to protect clay tile against wear. Pre-sealing the tile prior to grouting will act as a pre-grout sealer, provided it is applied over a clean tile surface. An additional final coat over the grouted floor will complete the sealing process along with providing the final grout stain protection.

There are two common types of sealers used today for sealing specialty tiles. The first is a water-based blend of acrylic polymers. This product allows for moisture vapor transmission, and it can be reapplied over itself, without stripping or removing the old sealer when the original application has become worn. The second type is a solvent-based sealer. Solvent-based sealers are not as forgiving after they have become worn, they must be stripped and removed prior to reapplication. Both types should be UV stable, which means the ultra violet rays from the sun should not break them down. You should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use, maintenance and precautions.

The expected wear of the topical sealer will vary depending on the hardness, surface texture, type or area, usage, and type of maintenance products used. However, the average expected use life of the sealer, when properly prepared, is a maximum of 3 years. Harsh cleaning methods, high-alkaline or solvent-based cleaners can significantly lower the expected life of the sealer. Concentrated tile cleaners are recommended for routine cleaning.

Pacific Carpet & Tile Cleaning of Newport Beach, CA preforms Steam Carpet Cleaning, Tile Floor Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, Marble/ Travertine Floor Polishing and our new service, Wood Floor Refinishing.  Pacific Has been servicing the Newport Beach, ca area for over 25 years and we offer the most Affordable Carpet, Tile & Upholstery cleaning in Newport Beach and the Orange County area. Check out our Up-Front Pricing!  Our BBB A Rating and customer references speak for themselves.

Our company has over 25 years of experience in the carpet and tile cleaning industry. We provide customers with reliable solutions for all of their carpet cleaning and tile & grout cleaning needs. Our company also offers upholstery cleaning, marble/travertine floor polishing, and wood floor refinishing services that our customers can count on. Our BBB rating is an A, and we are happy to have over 12,000 satisfied customers. Our customer reviews are positive, and we always believe in offering quality services. We have powerful industrial strength cleaning equipment that we use for all of our services.

 

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Cleaning Porcelain Tile Flooring – Newport Beach CA

Cleaning Porcelain Tile Flooring – Newport Beach CA

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Cleaning Porcelain Tile Flooring

Porcelain tile is among the easiest of flooring materials to clean. Porcelain tile can be easily swept or vacuumed twice a week. You can also clean your porcelain tile with a damp sponge mop. Use a solution of 1/4 cup of white vinegar to 2 gallons of water, allowing time for drying.

Although porcelain tile is by definition impervious, it is still possible for its surface to stain. You may choose a cleaner specifically formulated for porcelain tile. However,unglazed surfaces sometimes assume the color of the cleaning solution. For these and other important issues, here is an account of how to clean multiple types of porcelain tile surfaces.

Unpolished porcelain tile

Following is a simple procedure to clean unpolished/unglazed porcelain tile flooring with a moderate soil load.

  • Sweep or vacuum the dirt from the floor.
  • Saturate the floor with cleaning solutions and hot water, stir and allow it to stand on the floor for 5 � 10 minutes. Do not allow cleaning solutions to dry. Also, for this procedure, do it on small areas at a time.
  • For more difficult stains, scrub the cleaning solution with a floor machine equipped with an abrasive pad or stiff nylon-bristle brush. For residential applications and small areas, use a scrub brush.
  • Wipe away the dirty cleaning solution and rinse the surface of the porcelain tile with clean, clear water with a mop or a wet vacuum.
  • You might have to use a more aggressive cleaning method if the unpolished porcelain tile is heavily stained.

Polished tile

For polished or glazed porcelain tiles, these instructions must be followed for general cleaning:

  • Sweep or vacuum loose dirt and dust from the floor. Use an untreated, dry dust mop instead of a broom.
  • Mop the floor with a mild cleaning solution. The concentration of the detergent should be 50% less than the amount used on an unpolished porcelain tile floor.
  • Rinse the porcelain tile floor with clean and clear water thoroughly.
  • Dry carefully to increase the shine and to prevent water spots.

Part 2Textured tile

A textured porcelain tile surface demands for some additional cleaning procedures. Just a standard wet-mopping will not effectively clean such surface. It requires you to clean it more requently and do it in a specified manner. For cleaning textured surfaces, follow these instructions:

  • Sweep or vacuum dust and debris from the floor. For sweeping use a soft-bristle broom and sweep in two directions. First follow the direction of the tile, and then sweep diagonally to ensure complete cleaning of all foreign material that might be residing in the texture.
  • Saturate the surface with a neutral cleaning solution in hot water and stir. Allow the cleaning solution to remain on the floor for five to ten minutes. Scrub the floor with a brush, again using a two-direction method.
  • Rinse the porcelain tile floor with clean, clear water to remove the cleaning solution.
  • For high traffic locations, it is recommended to scrub the floor once a day and wet mop at regular intervals.

Preventions and Safety Measures:

  • Do not clean porcelain tile flooring with ammonia or with cleaners that contain any bleach and/or acid for cleaning. Acid and ammonia based cleaners may alter grout color.
  • Do not use any oil-based detergents, wax cleaners, or sealants.
  • Do not use agents that contain any dyes or colors on unglazed porcelain tile.
  • Use rugs at outdoor entrances to prevent grit from being tracked onto the tile flooring.
  • Do not use steel wool pads, because the loose steel particles may cause rust stains in the grout.

 

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Ceramic Tile Flooring Care and Maintenance – Newport Beach CA

Ceramic Tile Flooring Care and Maintenance – Newport Beach CA

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Ceramic Tile Flooring Care and Maintenance
Grout Care
1. Grout is the mortar type material used to fill the s
paces between the individual tile
s, or stone. It’s purpose is
simply to fill the joint between the tiles and become a permanent, integral part of the floor.
2. Neither sealing the grout nor using a 100% Epoxy Gr
out will guarantee against surface build up or discoloration
of the grout.
3. Grout needs to be cleaned on a periodic basis
to remove any surface residue build up.
4. This routine cleaning can be done with a neutral
PH balanced daily-use household or commercial cleaner
depending on the application.
5. When heavy-duty grout cleaning is requi
red, you can use a professional strength tile and grout cleaner that is
capable of removing grease, soap scum, body oil, mildew
stains algae, and synthetic or acrylic waxes from the
grout joints.
Post Grouting Installation Clean-Up
1. Grout haze is a film left behind on the surface of the tile
as part of the final grouting process; it is usually buffed
off the surface after the grout has achieved its initial 12
to 24 hour cure, with the use of a cheese cloth material.
If after 48 hrs a grout haze still exists, then use a “grout
haze remover” which usually
contains Sulfamic Acid.
Sulfamic acid cleaners should ONLY be
used on Ceramic and/or Porcelain tiles.
IMPORTANT NOTE
:
Never
use Acids on natural stone tiles
; this could lead to permanent etchi
ng. Instead use a Natural Stone Cleaner
and a cheese cloth for grout haze removal.
2. In cases where you have used Epoxy Grouts , you may need to use an “Epoxy Haze Remover”. These
cleaners are formulated to quickly and safely remove Epoxy
grout haze, without damaging the grout or the tile
face of your newly installed ceramic floor.
Routine Maintenance
1.
You should allow your new ceramic tile and grout to dry for at least 72 hours after installation, before any
type of maintenance occurs.
2.
Cleaning your new floor with a damp mop once a week
is the best thing you can do to maintain your
ceramic floor.
3.
A simple sweeping or vacuuming of your tile floor
prior to mopping will remove any dust or debris.
4.
Make sure that any cleanser you have chosen is compat
ible with grout cleaning, (neutral pH), and will not
stain the grout. We recommend Shaw’s
R2X Hard Surface Cleaner.
5.
Heavy traffic areas should be mopped more often than once a week.
6.
Never use a detergent or soap because it may dull the surface.
7.
When cleaning, the entire area should be cleaned or scr
ubbed with the cleansing solution, through the use
of a cotton mop, cloth, sponge, or non-metallic brush.
8.
The entire flooring area should then be rinsed with cl
ean water to remove any cleaning solution residue.
9.
Cleaning unglazed tiles should be done on a
regular basis using cleansers that have a neutral pH for safe
regular use; these cleaners are better suited at re
moving grease, oils, and normal spills from unglazed
products.
10.
Remember: Routine cleaners should
never contain acids, vinegar, ch
lorines or ammonia as these
chemicals can damage and discolor the grout or the surface of the stone or tile.
11.
Always thoroughly rinse the flooring surface after cl
eaning, using clean clear wate
r, to avoid any periodic
residue build up or mold and mildew growth.
Protecting Your Ceramic Floor
1. Protect you ceramic tile by affixing felt or similar pads
to the legs of any metal, iron, wood or plastic furniture
that could scratch and dull the surface.
2. Exterior metal furniture which rests on tile floors or patios may rust and cause staining.
3. Good quality entry mats will help protect your ceramic
tile from wear by collecting dirt, sand, grit and other
substances such as oil, asphalt, or
driveway sealer that might otherwise be tracked onto your floor.
4. You can also place these mats at heavy pivot locations such as in front of the kitchen sink or stove.

 

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Polishing Dull & scratched marble floors – Newport Beach CA

Polishing Dull & scratched marble floors – Newport Beach CA

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I need to discover how to polish marble. There is some marble flooring in my house that has seen better days. The scratches aren’t too deep, but they look bad. I also had to cut a piece of marble and now have an ugly, dull stone edge that needs to look like the high-gloss polished finish on the top. What’s the secret? Do I need all sorts of expensive equipment? Do I need to use water?

You’re in luck. The great news is that you’ll be able to get very nearly professional results in short order. It may take a little practice, but I think you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to take a dull stone edge and give it a highly polished surface that broadcasts the natural beauty of the stone.

You don’t need thousands of dollars of expensive equipment to polish marble. It’s quite possible that the tools you need to achieve very good results are already in your garage or workshop. At the bare minimum, you need a regular drill that has a variable-speed motor. If you have access to a stone grinder, that’s all the better.

There are two basic ways to polish marble and other stones: the dry method and the wet method. It’s hard to believe, but dry polishing works very well. This method creates a fine dust, so you need to work in a place where dust won’t ruin things. When dry-polishing, you need to wear eye and breathing protection. It’s not a good idea to ingest stone dust into your lungs, especially stone dust that contains silica.

Using special silicon-carbide sandpaper made for stone polishing, you can cut away successive ultra-fine layers of the stone until you have a high-gloss finish. You can buy sandpaper that attaches with adhesive or hook-and-loop technology to a flexible round sanding pad. These pads attach to a regular drill or to a special mounting base that connects to a stone grinder.

The polishing process starts with coarse-grit sandpaper that has a low number, such as 24 or maybe 60 grit. As the grit number gets larger, the size of the silicon-carbide particles gets smaller. Grit sizes march through the double digits, triple digits and beyond.You’ll be using 120, 220, 400, 500, 600 and more than 1,000 grit.

With the coarse-grit paper, you cut away a fine layer of stone to remove the scratches or saw-blade marks. It’s critical that you cut away all grooves, leaving a surface that may be rough, but all in the same plane. If you leave small grooves, tinier than the thickness of a piece of hair, you will see them as you start to achieve a high polish.

When you use the tools, you need to keep them moving. The drill or grinder will be spinning, so don’t keep it in one spot on the stone. You must slide it constantly across the surface of the stone so the sandpaper doesn’t cut a circular groove. Moderate pressure is all you need. Let the sandpaper do the work for you.

It’s best to use many different grits of sandpaper as you start to achieve the polish. You may start with 24 grit, then use 60, 120, 220, 320, 400, 500, 600 and then 1,000. If you skip a grit, you may end up with tiny scratch lines that show through the polish.

You can also use dry diamond polishing pads in the same manner. They also come in different grits, going as fine as 3,000.

It’s best to test your skills on a scrap piece of marble first. Try to get a piece that matches your floor marble so that you can see what it’s like. Use some regular sand to scratch the scrap piece and then start to see whether you can polish these scratches out like a pro. Once you have achieved success with the scrap piece, advance to your floor and to the cut edge.

 

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