Hints & Tips

The experts at ServiceMaster Clean want you to take pleasure in your investment whether it’s your carpet, upholstery or curtains, we want to help you combat the damage and wear on your home and furniture before you have to consider calling in the experts.

We have developed some handy self-help tips to guide you in the right direction.

Keep checking back for new hints and tips we’ll keep adding to this page.

If the damage is too much find your local business for a free no obligation quote.

Hints & Tips

ServiceMaster Clean specialises in carpet, curtain and upholstery cleaning and understands your flooring will receive more wear and tear than other parts of your home.

All kinds of things can accidentally mark or damage your carpet so ServiceMaster Clean recommends when trying to remove a stain that you start at the edges of the mark and work inwards to prevent it spreading and always test in an inconspicuous part of the carpet beforehand. A great little tip for a spilt glass of red wine is soda water to flush the wine from the carpet fibres.

There are a few essential cleaning items that you should have at home in order to tackle those little, unexpected accidents. Here are ServiceMaster Cleans top 7 items you should have in your cleaning kit.

  • A clean cloth or plain white paper towels for dabbing up spills
  • Vodka – a dab of vodka works well on most stains, dab and blot until the stain is reduced or removed
  • Bi-carbonate of Soda – this is great for removing or reducing odours. Sprinkle over your carpet and gently work in. Leave for a day and then thoroughly vacuum away
  • Soap flakes and plain soap – with a little water this will gently remove various stains including mud
  • White vinegar – handy for removing all kinds of stains and odours. Most things in nature are acidic and it’s gentler to remove marks in the same pH level, therefore it’s often safer to try a little white vinegar first before moving onto something stronger such as…
  • Household ammonia – great for all kinds of stains where mild alkalinity helps. Always dilute according to the instructions on the bottle and ALWAYS rinse afterwards
  • A small soft brush – perfect for loosening dirt or gently cleaning a tile floor

ServiceMaster Clean Expert Tip: If you have no stain removal products to hand and need to tackle a stain on your carpet or upholstery immediately, a dab of vodka or gin is one of the safest products that you can try.  This works well on many stains – dabbing and blotting until the mark is less obvious. Remember to take care and ensure the stain does not spread.

ServiceMaster Clean can provide one off specialist cleans or regular cleans with prices tailored to your carpet or upholstery.

For more information find your local business for a free no obligation.

It’s a scary thought, but did you know that your carpet could contain more bacteria per square inch than your toilet seat and more than four times its own weight in dirt?

The experts at ServiceMaster Clean know that your carpets are the perfect environment for mould and bacteria to grow. From kid’s Wellies to dog’s dirty paws, it’s easy for germs and bacteria to be walked into the home on a daily basis, creating an unhealthy environment. This can be particularly troublesome for those with allergies or young children crawling or playing on floors.

Although vacuuming your carpets regularly will help to remove surface dirt, ServiceMaster Clean say that the deeper fibres of your carpet can hold thousands of hidden nasties. The Man made and wool fabric of your carpet combined with the moisture and temperature of your home can be the ideal breeding ground for things like bacteria, dust mites, fleas, and mould. As part of their specialist carpet protection treatments, ServiceMaster Clean use a unique range of products that incorporate an antimicrobial agent, which prevents mould, viruses & bacteria’s access to nutrients so they starve and die.

There is no quick fix to get rid of mould & pathogens, but regular care and maintenance of your carpet can help prevent its onset and will help keep your carpet in tip top condition. ServiceMaster Clean recommends a few simple tips to help keep your carpets healthy:

  • One of the easiest and most effective ways of preventing the build up of germs and mould on your floors is to invest in a good door mat. A harsher mat on the outside to remove any grit or soil combined with a softer cotton mat on the inside to absorb moisture will help to keep your carpet healthy and looking at its best for longer.
  • Regularly vacuuming your carpets will prevent the build up of soil and dirt over time which can add to the problem.
  • Always tackle any spills and stains immediately as moisture and dirt within your carpet can create a good habitat for mould to grow.
  • To keep the bugs at bay ServiceMaster Clean recommend having your carpets professionally cleaned every six to twelve months. This will not only help to keep them germ free but will also prolong their lifespan, saving you money in the long run.

ServiceMaster Clean can provide one off specialist cleans or regular cleans with prices tailored to your carpet or upholstery.

For more information find your local business for a free quotation.

Fabric and upholstery is the perfect place for dirt and grime to build up and furniture can begin to look tired and old. ServiceMaster Clean is on hand with some expert advice including top tips on how to give your upholstery a spring spruce up along with some useful remedies for on the spot treatment of stains and spills.

Spring Clean Your Upholstery:

Giving your upholstery a thorough spring clean will bring it back to its best and leave it refreshed and revitalised.

  • Vacuum: Your upholstery receives daily wear and tear just like your carpets and should be thoroughly vacuumed to remove the dust and loose dirt which accumulates within the fabric. Take off all cushions and use the nozzle attachment to vacuum the hard to reach areas of your upholstery and cushions, including, arms, sides and creases of the fabric before replacing the cushions. If you gently beat the upholstery while you vacuum you will loosen the dust that has built up and be able to capture this while vacuuming.
  • Plump up and rotate cushions: Fillings lose their ability to bounce back if not plumped up to reshape them. Plumping cushions will help them last longer. Cushions may also experience premature and unnecessary wear. To ensure a longer life for your cushions, rotate them regularly.
  • Open the windows: Allowing fresh air to circulate the room will freshen up and air out your upholstery.
  • Avoid direct sunlight: Modern furniture fabrics are often quite resilient to sunlight. However, under extreme exposure, even these show signs of fading.
  • Have a good soil and stain resistant treatment applied: ServiceMaster Clean can apply a special fabric protector, giving fantastic resistance to spills, making them easy to mop up if cleaned away quickly. The fabric protector also contains a unique anti-bacterial additive which kills many viruses and bacteria.

Once you have your upholstery back to its former glory, ongoing care and attention will help to maintain an immaculate appearance.

For more information find your local business for a free no obligation.

Turn to drink
To tackle a stain on your carpet or upholstery immediately, a dab of vodka or gin works well on most stains, dab and blot until the stain is reduced or removed.

Blot up spills
Blot spills, never rub! If you can’t remove the stain yourself, keep it damp whilst waiting for your professional carpet cleaner to come to the rescue.

Less is more
Limit the amount of water you use when tackling stains. The less that seeps into the fabric the better and will allow the area to dry quicker.

Grease and oil marks
Cover stain with talcum powder or corn flour. Let it set and then brush or vacuum powder away.

Red wine
Absorb as much of the wine as possible with kitchen towels and dampen the area with a light spray of water. Then sprinkle with plenty of talc and cover with more kitchen paper and then a piece of plastic sheet (cling film is ideal) and leave for around 12 hours. The talc will absorb all the red wine and can then just be vacuumed away.

Gum
Freeze the gum with ice in a plastic bag and use a blunt knife to remove.

Many people do not realise that upholstery fabrics are made from exactly the same materials as day to day clothes! Just like your clothing, regular cleaning will maintain your upholstery and keep it looking at its best for longer, delaying the need to replace expensive items of furniture.

ServiceMaster Clean recommend that you should always pre-test in an inconspicuous area of your upholstery before tackling stain removal yourself. Or to save yourself the hard work, call in the experts, find your local business to request a free no obligation quote.

Curtains and blinds are often overlooked when it comes to domestic cleaning and will gradually accumulate dust. Often we are put off due to the hassle of taking them down or struggling with attachments to vacuum them and this means that your curtains and blinds get neglected.

As they hang at the window they are exposed to indoor and outdoor dust and debris and can therefore harbour thousands of dust mites, pollen, bacteria and cobwebs. Cleaning them will minimise the amount of dust that builds up in your home making it a cleaner and healthier environment.

ServiceMaster Clean advises having your curtains and blinds professionally cleaned every one to two years to keep them looking and smelling fresher.

For more information find your local business for a free quote.

Keeping your child’s bedroom or playroom clean and tidy is not always the easiest task and with carpets and flooring subjected to sticky fingers and the accidental spilt drink, it can create an unhealthy environment for your children to play in.

From apple juice to chewing gum, ServiceMaster Clean are experts in cleaning and protecting all kinds of flooring and are on hand to help with an ABC of the most common stains and a few simple tips on how best to tackle them.

A is for Apple Juice
Tackle any little accidents as quickly as possible. For spilt apple juice, rinse with cold water, then mix a small amount of washing powder with a little warm water (40 degrees centigrade) and dab on to the area with a cloth, then rinse again.

B is for Blood (and other accidents)
Cuts and grazes can easily leave a mark on your floors. Always treat with disinfectant first. Then use biological washing powder to remove the worst of the stain. It must be a new box, as biological washing powder has a very short shelf life and a new pack will ensure that all the enzymes are active.  Mix around an egg cup full of powder with a litre of warm water (40 degrees centigrade) and sponge on to the area. You will need to keep the affected area damp (not wet) for about 8 hours so place a damp towel on top of the mark and then a piece of clear plastic, all weighted down with a book. Finally, rinse out and dab dry with a clean cloth.

C is for Chewing gum
Firstly, don’t panic! A little steam should do the trick. Gently warm the chewing gum up by using the steam from an iron, held a few inches away from the carpet, taking care not to let the iron touch the carpet and burn the fibres.  The steam will gently warm the gum allowing you to gently scrape it away. Only use enough steam to soften the gum.

D is for Dirt
ServiceMaster Clean say that the key is to let the mud dry before attempting to remove the marks. Once the mud is completely dry just vacuum away, if any stubborn marks remain, apply soap flakes (around a teaspoonful to a mug of warm water) and gently dab.  Rinse with water.

E is for Egg
Egg can easily be removed with biological washing powder.  Mix an egg cup full of powder with a litre of warm water (40 degrees centigrade) and sponge on to the area. You will need to keep the affected area damp (not wet) for about 8 hours so place a damp towel on top of the mark and then a piece of clear plastic, all weighted down with a book. Finally, rinse out and dab dry with a clean cloth.

F is for Felt Tip Pen
A dab of vodka or gin works well on many stains, dab and blot until the stain is reduced or removed.

G is for Glue
Glue can be a little tricky to remove. You could try a dab of vodka, dabbing and blotting but it might be a job for the professionals.

H is for Help
Help is on hand! To save yourself all the hard work, call in the experts. ServiceMaster Clean can provide one off or regular cleans.

ServiceMaster Clean also recommend having a good soil and stain resistant treatment applied to keep your carpets and upholstery looking at their best for longer. ServiceMaster Clean can apply a special fabric protector, giving fantastic resistance to spills, making them easy to mop up if cleaned away quickly. The fabric protector also contains a unique anti-bacterial additive which kills many viruses and bacteria.

For more information find your local business for a free quotation.

If you are having building work or renovations carried out at home then it is worth noting that you may need to let the dust settle for up to two weeks after the builders have gone before your property can be cleaned to a professional standard.

Depending on the scale of work being undertaken, everything from carpets, walls and windows to cupboards, work surfaces and bathrooms may need cleaning.

As soon as the builders have gone it is only natural for people to want to rush in and clean up so that they can make the most of their newly improved home. However, waiting until the air is clean will ensure that any time spent cleaning is not wasted.  Things such as carpets and upholstery should be cleaned straight away to avoid a build up of dirt, but as it can take up to two weeks for the volumes of dust in the air to settle.

ServiceMaster brands Merry Maids and ServiceMaster Clean carry out builders cleans. This ensures that each property is cleaned to the highest possible standard. We will carry out a site visit beforehand to assess the work required.

ServiceMaster Clean will tend to the heavier work including the removal of any remaining rubble and debris left by the builders. They then get to work thoroughly cleaning the flooring, including tile, carpet, laminate, wood, stone or marble. Flooring is cleaned using professional processes including spot treating any stubborn marks.  Lastly ServiceMaster Clean will tackle any upholstery that needs cleaning such as chairs sofas and window dressings which can all be cleaned on site minimising the disruption to the homeowner. Once ServiceMaster Clean have removed all the tell tale signs that the builders have been in, Merry Maids then come in to give the entire property a top to toe deep clean.

The Merry Maids deep clean will include everything that you would expect from a regular clean such as dusting ornaments, electrical goods, furniture and skirting boards, vacuuming carpets and soft furnishings, mopping floors where necessary, cleaning and deodorising bathroom suites, tiles and mirrors and deodorising, cleaning kitchen surfaces, cupboards and white good exteriors. But in addition for a clean of this nature where a deeper clean is required special attention can be paid to other areas such as cleaning out kitchen cupboards, vacuuming curtains, washing walls, cleaning inside windows, cleaning and defrosting fridges and freezers.

ServiceMaster Clean and Merry Maids have businesses across the UK and can tailor one off builders cleans, carpet and upholstery cleaning or regular domestic cleans to suit your needs. To find your nearest business find your local Carpet Cleaning Specialist or find your local Merry Maids Service.