The Benefits and Limitations of Carpet and Rug Cleaning

More and more people are using steam cleaners, which have proven to be more natural and more effective than chemical cleaners in many situations. But how far do the benefits of steam cleaning really go? Can you use a steam cleaner on just any surface? If you’re wondering these things yourself, we’ve got some advice for you.

Benefits of Steam Cleaning

Because steam cleaning only uses water and heat, you don’t have to worry about any of the risks that chemical cleaners might bring. Nearly all household surfaces are properly sanitized with steam cleaners, more than just the percentage of clean that most chemical cleaners offer. Because the steam evaporates, surfaces will dry faster when cleaned with steam cleaners. Steam cleaners are also excellent at cleaning those tough to reach spots and removing hardened substances like wax or glue.

Best Uses for Steam Cleaners

Steam cleaning works wonders on nearly every surface of a home, but for some materials you may need to pay attention and think of the effect that water and heat may have. For example, steam cleaning is great for carpets, upholstery, mattresses, and even curtains, but for all of these surfaces you need to make sure you’re using an upholstery attachment. 

For floors, tiles, ceramic and metal fixtures steam cleaning works great to kill germs, mold, and fungus, so long as a floor attachment is used. With a window attachment, you can easily clean glass and windows. Even kitchen appliances can be cleaned with handheld steam cleaners. 

The only materials that can’t be steam cleaned are paper and cardboard products, delicate fabrics and anything covered in water-based paint.

Professional Services

Now that you understand what kind of jobs steam cleaners can be used for, you need the right team of technicians to get the job done. The Steam Team professionals are trained at handling high-powered steam cleaners and other cleaning equipment. If your home or business is in need of restoration or cleaning, call The Steam Team today.

Protecting and Maintaining Upholstered Furniture

Upholstered furniture adds a gorgeous flare to your home, no matter where its placed. Whether you have an accent chair that rarely gets used or we’re talking about your everyday family sofa- upholstered furniture is no easy feat to clean. Fortunately, there are some precautions you can take to keep your upholstered furniture staying clean longer- but ultimately, everything needs a deep, thorough clean every once in a while.

Take A Few Precautions:

Direct sunlight can be harmful to our furniture as it causes the fabric to fade and discolor. Avoid placing upholstery near bright, sunny windows, and rotate cushions periodically to ensure the fabric isn’t sitting in direct sunlight for extended periods of time.

Regular Maintenance:

The best thing you can do for your furniture is to vacuum periodically throughout the week. Especially if you have (small) children and/or pets, crumbs seem to inch their way into every crack and crevice of our furniture. Vacuum the surface of the cushions and then in between, if you can, to make sure there isn’t anything left behind.

When it comes to spills and other stains, try to treat them as soon as you can- especially on softer fabrics. The longer liquids and other materials are left to sit, the more likely they are to stain the furniture. It’s best to blot up any spill first, and then apply your cleaning solution. Do not rub when it comes to spills because then the spot is more likely to spread.

When in Doubt, Call the Steam Team

The Steam Team can help by treating your upholstery with a fabric protectant! Not only does our fabric protectant help to resist spills, but it also protects against ultraviolet radiation. So don’t hesitate to give us a call today- we’d love to help you protect your favorite upholstered furniture from everyday accidents! We also offer water damage services for commercial and residential customers. 

Is it Time to Clean Your Office?

You spend at least forty hours a week in your office, sometimes more, working productively. But you know what increases productivity, that we don’t often think about? A clean work environment! Perhaps it’s time to finally give your office (or even home office) the cleaning that it deserves. Let’s go over a few areas that may need some TLC this time around!

Your Desk

Let’s be honest; sometimes we’re guilty of eating our lunch at the desk in order to keep working as much as we can. But while you’re proving that you have great drive and work ethic, you’re making a huge mess of your desk! Fortunately, surfaces can be steam cleaned. So give the professionals a call! Your desk will be clean and pristine afterward.

Window Blinds and Curtains

So much dust and dirt is collected in our window blinds and curtains, it’s disgusting! Use a professional-grade steam cleaning machine to clean blinds and window treatments without even removing them! Or, make it easier on yourself and hire the professionals for the job. You’ll breathe easier and feel healthier after the job is done!

Carpeting

If your office has carpet, your office needs cleaning. Carpet should be vacuumed at least once weekly, and steam cleaned whenever stained or necessary. Steam cleaning is great method of carpet cleaning, as it uses absolutely no chemicals, and extracts grime from deep within its fibers with ease. Even older stains can be removed with the right equipment. And you know who has the perfect equipment for the job? The Steam Team!

Surfaces, window treatments, and flooring are no match for the powerful cleaning of a steam cleaner! The Steam Team can take care of your office for you! Just give us a call; we’ll be out shortly to restore your office to its original condition! And then you can get back to work and feel even more productive!

How to Remove candy from Your Carpet or Rugs

Ah… it’s that time of year again. The season of chocolates, lollipops, and the like. With Halloween, comes Halloween candy and sometimes it ends up in our carpets, and not in our mouths. So let’s take a look at three different types of candy and how to remove them from carpet and rugs! We have been cleaning carpet and rugs in Austin for over 40 years. 

Gum

Before you grab your scissors to remove gum from your carpet, consider this method first: freeze the gum by placing a small bag of ice over the area. Once it hardens, use a scraping tool to scrape away any excess particles. Then vacuum the area thoroughly. Finally, sponge the area with warm, soapy water, and dry completely with a clean towel, making sure all of the stain has been removed!

Chocolate

There’s a whole world of chocolate lovers out there, but carpet is not one of them! To remove chocolate from your carpet, make sure it’s all dried up, and (like with the gum) scrape away any leftover pieces. Try to lift the stain with a carpet stain remover. If this doesn’t work, mix ¼ teaspoon of dishwashing detergent with a cup of lukewarm water. Pour this mixture on the affected area, and blot the carpet from the outer edge inward (as to not spread the stain).

Hard Candy

Hard candy is the stickiest of all candies, and it’s not easy to remove from carpet. But there are no tricks here- we have the answers. First, soften the candy with cool water, and scrape away any pieces that remain. Then use an enzymatic stain remover; these work best! Finally, rinse the area with a damp, clean cloth to make sure the candy has been removed.

If you’re still having trouble removing these pesky stains from your carpet, don’t hesitate to call in the professionals! The Steam Team has all of the expertise and equipment for the any carpet stain- not just Halloween candy! For rug cleaning pick up and delivery call us today. 

Tips for Basic Rug Care at 512-451-8326

The Steam Team rug cleaning 

Area and Oriental rugs make great decorative pieces in our homes, and with a little TLC, we can keep them looking great and even increase their longevity! Below you’ll find a few basic cleaning and care tips for area and oriental rugs, and we’re certain you’ll find them helpful! Happy cleaning!

Rug Cleaning

As long as your rug is small enough to pick up, you can start by beating it clean. That’s right- this is a great way to take out your frustrations! Shake your rug outside first, and then hang it on a clothesline for a good beating. Afterward, bring it back inside to finish cleaning it by vacuuming.

When it comes to washing your rugs, first make sure the rug is “machine washable.” Check the label on your rug for instructions such as these. Also check for the appropriate temperature to avoid damaging the fibers of your rugs! After shaking your rug outside, toss it in the washing machine with all settings corresponding to the washing instructions, and you’re good to go!

When vacuuming your rug, use the gentle setting and start from the center, working your way outward. Lift the fringe to vacuum beneath, and viola!

Be gentle with the fringe of your area rugs. Check the labels for care instructions, and contact a professional cleaning service for help caring for them. You can definitely rely on The Steam Team to properly care and preserve your rugs- just give us a call!

Call in The Steam Team at 512-451-8326

Sometimes it’s best to call in the professionals. When you call The Steam Team, your rug won’t be finished cleaning until our technicians have given it a thorough inspection. You can count on us to get the job done safely and correctly!

5 Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Cleaning

Everyone makes mistakes, even when it comes to cleaning! It’s easy to use the wrong product, scrub and not blot, wash windows on a sunny day, or make an even worse mistake- bleaching the wrong garment. Cleaning isn’t as simple as one might think, and it’s really easy to cause a hiccup on your chore day! Follow these tips from the professionals, and you’ll avoid making the most common mistakes! We are your one stop carpet stain and rug cleaning professionals. 

Scrubbing Stains from Carpeting

While your first instinct may be to scrub away a spill, it’s best to first dry the stain and then blot it clean. Not only will the scrubbing push the stain further into the carpet, but it also unravels carpet fibers- and that can’t be undone!

Assuming Cleaners are Disinfectants

Certainly, you can clean without a disinfectant. But what about areas in the home like sinks, toilets, door handles… you may want to pay attention to labels and make sure your solution is a true disinfectant.

Using Too Much Cleaning Solution

More is not better! Stick to what the label says. Using more cleaner is simply a waste, and you could cause residue and gunk to build up if you use too much! So use it sparingly, friends!

Using Furniture Polish Every Time You Dust

Try using a damp cloth instead of furniture polish. While furniture polish helps our shelves and surfaces look shiny, and smell fresh, it should always be used sparingly!

Washing Windows on a Sunny Day

It seems logical to wash windows on a bright day when you’re in the perfect cleaning mood! But actually, it’s best to wait for a cloudy day. The hot sun can cause streaking and make your cleaning solution evaporate more quickly! For the best prices in Austin, Texas give The Steam Team a call 512-451-8326 today.

We hope these tips have been insightful for you! Happy cleaning!

Cleaning: What You Need to Know

Cleaning Company In Austin

So you’ve finally bought the sofa that you and your love have been saving up for (saving for far too long, it seems). Here at The Steam Team, we trust that you’ve done your research and have a general idea of how to care for this stunning piece of furniture, but just in case, we’d like to review the basics of how to properly clean and protect your fabric. So stay tuned, and keep that sofa looking gorgeous!

When it comes to cleaning your furniture, there are a few things you should know to avoid: Bleach, Ammonia-Based Cleaners, etc.

Unfortunately the cleaning process isn’t as simple as wiping your sofa with a soapy cloth! We have to be careful with the materials that we’re using- both the solution, and the cloth.These cleaners, along with anything that isn’t specified to treat leather should all be avoided.

Once you’ve found the proper cleaning solution and supplies, it’s time to begin! First, vacuum your sofa thoroughly and carefully. This is to avoid dust and dirt from rubbing into the fabric as you clean and protect. Most commercial vacuum cleaners have attachments and special brushes that will do the job.

If you haven’t found a commercial cleaning product that you like, it is safe to use a mixture of water and white vinegar. Vinegar is a reliable cleaner, and completely safe for the environment as well! Beginning from the top, work your way down, using a dampened microfiber cloth to gently clean the surface of your sofa. Make sure to rinse the cloth whenever it’s necessary. Dry your sofa with a fresh towel, and apply your favorite leather conditioner!

For help cleaning your furniture or for any other cleaning and restoration service, contact The Steam Team! Our team of skilled professionals are always standing by, eager to help you out!

Carpet Cleaning: Steaming Away the Stench

Carpet And Rug Cleaning 

We often treat our pets as if they’re human. They seem to fit in perfectly with the family, and they even get along well with our closest friends! However… no matter how endearing our pets are they still stink! To make matters worse, pet odors are oftentimes more difficult to remove than stains, as they’re more deeply embedded into carpet/fabric fibers. Pet urine is the number one culprit. So, what, if anything, can we do to relieve our nostrils of this uncomfortable stench, left behind by our darling pets?

Pre-Treating Stains

Hopefully you’ve caught the urine stain in good time. If you happen to be so lucky, begin pretreating the stain immediately! Choose one cleaning solution and stick with it- but make sure it’s appropriate for this kind of stain!

If you’re dealing with a urine puddle, immediately soak up the moisture by layering newspaper over several paper towels, and pressing the affected area. Once fully dry, pretreat the stain with an enzymatic cleaning solution- the best solution for the job.

Permanently Removing Stains & Odors

First- understand that not all stains are going to come up. Sometimes, professional intervention is necessary. Until The Steam Team (or your local cleaning/restoration company) arrives, try mixing a solution of two cups of cool water, and a tablespoon each of vinegar, and dishwashing liquid. Blot into the stain and periodically rinse with clean water.

Hiring a Professional

Pet urine alone is a difficult stain/odor to battle. Don’t fight alone! Give your local cleaning and restoration company a call. The Steam Team has the perfect amount of know-how and high-quality equipment to remove stains from your carpet and upholstery- for good! Finally, you can go back to loving on your pets, and not just cleaning up after them. For rug cleaning call The Steam Team at 512-451-8326 today.

Area Rug Cleaning In Austin Texas

Cleaning Experts In Austin

You’re familiar with this scenario: you hear a sharp shatter as a glass of wine tumbles to the floor. The spill splashes everywhere- the carpet, the couch, your clothes… You freeze like a deer in headlights, unsure of where to begin.

Don’t panic! Here’s a quick guide on spot treating carpet stains that will help you avoid common mistakes:

First, remove as much of the spill as possible.

A solid spill can be scraped with a spoon, or butter knife. Next, blot away any excess liquid with a clean white absorbent cloth or paper towel. Work from the outside edge of the stain in, dabbing carefully—and don’t scrub. Scrubbing will only work the stain deeper into the carpet fibers, which makes your job harder. Continue dabbing with several cloths or paper towels until they no longer pick up any color.  

We repeat: blot, don’t scrub.

Next, apply a store-bought or homemade cleaner.

The cleaning solution you use will depend on the substance involved in the spill. Pet urine, for example, requires an enzymatic cleaner (this solution can be found in pet stores). It’s a great idea to reserve a bottle for emergency situations; keep it stowed away in your pantry, or kitchen cabinet. You can easily concoct an all-purpose solution by combining 1 tsp. dish soap, ¼ tsp. white vinegar, and 4 cups warm water. Pour this solution in a spray bottle, and you’ll be all set.

Blot again, then dry.  

Repeat the first step: blot with a clean white absorbent cloth until all of the stain has been removed and is no longer bleeding onto your cloth. Rinse the area by blotting (one last time!) with cold water, careful not to over-wet the area. Lastly, lay a folded towel over the area, and set a heavy dish on top to help absorb the stain (casserole dish, baking pan, etc).

And remember- no stain is too tough for The Steam Team to tackle. Don’t hesitate to give us a call today- either for that stubborn carpet stain, or a professional deep-cleaning. We guarantee that you’ll be floored by our results!