How to Prepare for Professional Upholstery Cleaning

Upholstery is one of the parts of our homes we often forget about cleaning- unless there was some sort of mishap. Although there are ways for you to clean your upholstery yourself, different fabrics require different cleaning techniques. Worst case scenario, you could even worsen any stains you are trying to get out or ruin your furniture altogether. That’s why it’s always a good idea to call in the professionals. Here’s how you can prepare for your professional upholstery cleaning.

Remove Clutter

If you are having the professionals come clean your upholstery, you want to make sure there isn’t anything in their way. Remove clutter both from the floor and the furniture itself. This can be anything from children’s toys and shoes to blankets and pillows. You may also want to make sure none of your TV remotes have gotten lost between the cushions of your couch or favorite chair.

Put Away Fragile or Valuable Items

Along with clutter, you’ll want to make sure that anything fragile or valuable is out of the way of the cleaners. Although cleaners take the utmost care, accidents do happen. If you have any fragile or valuable items located near the upholstery that is going to be cleaned, it’s best to just put it away until after your furniture has been cleaned.

Move Furniture

Another way to prepare for professional upholstery cleaning is to move your furniture. If you have a coffee table or side tables nearby, move them to another room for the time being. This will allow the cleaners to have optimal moveability and ease of access to the upholstery they are there to clean.

Make Note of Problem Areas

It can sometimes be hard to tell what is a stain and what is a shadow. Lighting or shadows can often disguise blemishes in the material as well. If there are any specific areas you would like your cleaners to focus on, let them know beforehand.

Have Arrangements for Pets Beforehand

If you have pets that might not be happy about loud machines or strangers in the home, make arrangements for them beforehand. You can keep them in a separate area of the home. You could even let your friends or family pet-sit for you for the day. With pets out of the way, the professionals will be able to complete the cleaning process quickly without worries.

Clear a Path

The professionals will have equipment they will need to take to the furniture being cleaned. Make sure there is a clear path from the front door to whatever is being cleaned. With a clear path, the cleaners will be able to get the job done quickly and professionally and there won’t be a risk of them tripping while going to and from their truck.

If you’re looking to have your upholstery professionally cleaned, Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services can help. Give us a call at 931-552-7847 or contact us online!

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Your PCS Cleaning Checklist

PCS season is still in full swing! If you’re getting ready to move to your next duty station, you’ve likely got a lot on your plate. Between packing and cleaning, it’s easy to forget something. If you’ve been renting or your home needs to pass inspection before you ship out, the cleaning process is going to be especially important for you. A clean home can mean passing inspection the first time or getting your deposit back if you were renting. Luckily, we’ve compiled this list, so you don’t forget a thing!

  • Dust, dust, dust! You may have been good about dusting certain furniture in your current home, but there are likely places that haven’t been touched since you moved in. Ceiling fixtures- including lights and fans- and all ledges will need a good dusting.
  • Check the walls. Are there nails or screws left behind from hanging pictures? Make sure to take these out and then properly fill in any holes left behind. It can be a good idea to give the walls and baseboards a wipe-down as well.
  • The most forgotten places. There are certain areas of your home that you touch everyday but never take the time to clean. This can include doorknobs, doors, light switches, and outlet covers.
  • Faucets and fixtures. Whether in your kitchen or bathroom, take the time to clean and shine up your sink, faucet, and any other metal fixtures.
  • Vacuum unexpected places. Exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitchen can attract a lot of dust.
  • Sweep behind appliances. Crumbs can get everywhere in a kitchen, even behind appliances.
  • Scrub your appliances. Refrigerators and ovens have food in them all the time, and where there’s food there’s often crumbs, or drips left behind. Make sure to scrub your appliances inside and out.
  • Countertops and cabinets. These well-used surfaces in your kitchen will need to be cleaned out and wiped down.
  • Don’t forget the garage. The garage should be completely empty and if possible, power wash any lingering stains on the concrete. This applies to your driveway and sidewalks too if needed.
  • Spruce up the outside. This means mowing the lawn and getting rid of any unsightly weeds.
  • The number one thing you don’t want to forget: your carpets. After all the furniture is gone and all the boxes have been moved out, the most noticeable feature of your home will be your carpets. You may have had stubborn stains covered under a rug or piece of furniture, but now they’re out in the open for all to see. Without anything else in the room, you may also notice discoloration in the high-traffic areas of your home. The last thing you want to do before your inspection or moving out of your rental is to get your carpets professionally cleaned. They will be able to get out those stubborn stains and all the dirt and dust that’s built up over the past few years that your vacuum left behind. Additionally, you’ll also want to check your lease. Some rental companies now have requirements for your carpets to be professionally cleaned before you move out.

If you’re looking to have your carpets professionally cleaned, Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services can help. Give us a call at 931-552-7847 or contact us online!

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Why You Should Hire Professional Carpet Cleaners

Are your carpets looking dingey? Is there that stain you can’t seem to get out no matter how hard you try? It could be time to hire professional carpet cleaners. You may think trying to tackle carpet cleaning yourself is easier, but here are some reasons why you should hire the professionals.

Save Time and Money

Who has the time to clean their carpets and then wait for them to dry? That’s precious time you could be spending with your family and friends, having fun or relaxing. Not only that, renting or buying carpet cleaning machines can be expensive, and that doesn’t even include the cost of special cleaning solutions.  If you don’t let your carpets properly dry after cleaning them, mold and mildew could start to grow, putting your family’s health at risk.

Effectively Remove Lingering Stains and Odors

The retail machines you can rent or buy aren’t nearly as effective as the professional systems. Professional systems use hotter water and even have the ability to sanitize your carpets. This means that they will more easily remove those stubborn stains you’ve never been able to get out. Additionally, their sanitizing systems will kill bacteria and dust mites that have taken root in your carpets.

All Carpets Are Different

Are your carpets wool or synthetic? Are they low pile or high pile? Based on these characteristics, the professionals will be able to capably and expertly clean your carpets without damaging them. Wool carpets especially can be difficult to clean properly without damaging them. Every carpet requires a different treatment that you just can’t get from your standard retail carpet cleaning machine.

Years of Experience and Know-How

Because the professional carpet cleaners have years of experience and know how, they’ll be able to clean your carpets more effectively than you could on your own. They’ll know how to handle the stains, odors, and materials your carpet is made out of without potentially making those stains worse. Additionally, they’ll have the specialized tools to get into those tricky corners, along baseboards, and they have low-moisture equipment to speed up drying time. With their know-how, you can prolong the life of your carpets and keep them looking brand new.

If you’re looking to have your carpets professionally cleaned, Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services can help. Give us a call at 931-552-7847 or contact us online!

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Mold vs Mildew

Although both are a type of fungus that love warm, damp areas, many don’t know the differences between mold and mildew. They do have one striking quality in common however: homeowners don’t want to see either in their home. So, what sets mold and mildew apart from each other?

Mold

If you find mold in your home, there could be more damage than you think. Because mold burrows into the surface of where it is growing, it is harder to get rid of. It particularly loves organic materials like cotton clothing or bedding, leather, wood, and paper. Mold in your home will appear raised and fuzzy, like it is growing out of the surface. It can also come in many colors including green, red, blue, or even black. Because of the way it grows, mold will have a pungent smell.

Mildew

Unlike mold, mildew is a surface fungus. This means it isn’t permeating whatever surface it is growing on. Mildew is often gray or white in its early stages and will have a powdery, dry appearance. It will also look flat instead of standing out from the surface of wherever it is growing. Mildew will also have a different smell than mold. It will have a milder musty smell that some compare to damp socks. Mildew also thrives in humidity more so than mold.

What to do if you find them in your home

Because mildew only grows on the surface, it is relatively easy to get rid of. There are a variety of cleaning products you can get from your local hardware store that are specifically for getting rid of mildew. Simply clean the surface where the mildew has grown with the cleaner and a scrub brush. To make sure mildew doesn’t grow again, you’ll need to fix the source of excess moisture, whether this is a leaky pipe or a poorly ventilated bathroom.

If you find mold in your home, this can be a sign of a much larger issue. If you home recently experienced water damage of any kind, for example a burst pipe or flooded basement, there is a chance mold is already growing in your walls or behind appliances. If you find mold in your home, your first step is to call in the professionals. You may think you can remove the mold yourself, but because mold permeates the surface it grows on, it can be much more difficult to remove than mildew.

If you’ve experienced water damage or think you’ve been exposed to mold in your home, Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services can get your house back to being a home! Call us now or request help online!

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What To Do When Buying a Home with Water Damage

When it comes time to buy a home, there’s many factors you need to consider. Some of these are personal factors, but some are things that you should be asking your real estate agent or seller about perspective homes. How much can you put down for a down payment? What are the schools like in the area? Has the house suffered any water damage? Here’s what you need to know when buying a home with water damage.

Ask Questions

Although asking if the house has suffered any water damage is a great first question, it’s just one of many you should be asking. Other questions you should ask include but aren’t limited to:

  • When did the water damage occur?
  • What caused it? Burst pipe? Flooding? Leaky roof?
  • Has the cause been fixed, or steps taken to prevent further flooding?
  • How long was the water sitting in the home and how much damage did it do?
  • Was the home stripped down or were only the walls washed or bleached?
  • Was mold allowed to grow?
  • Has wiring in the walls been checked?

Get the Home Inspected

If the sellers or real estate agents are unsure the extent of the damage caused by water damage, get the home inspected. This is an important step of buying any home, but especially important when buying one with water damage. Not only could there be damage from water, but there could be underlying damages from any repairs that were attempted. Make sure to higher a reputable home inspector and have them carefully check the home for any existing damage- water or otherwise. Water damaged homes can have a lot of issues. Because of this, it may be a good idea to get a second home inspection. This way, you can make sure nothing was missed.

Determine the Cost of the Home

Because it may cost you to fix any water damage once you’ve bought the home, you can include this in your offer. You should find a contractor that will help you estimate the cost of repairs. Depending on the extent of the damage, this could be thousands of dollars. Once you have an estimate, you can make an offer on the home that accounts for these costs.

If You Buy the Home

If you buy the home and invest in its repairs, make sure you also invest in flood insurance. It is likely that if the home flooded once before, it will flood again. Certain areas are more prone to flooding than others, and sometimes it cannot be stopped. It is important to have flood insurance if this is the case in the area where you plan to buy a home. Make sure to check with your insurance company about coverage for ground water. Most floods from outside your home are not covered without special flood insurance!

Water Damage and Mold

If the home you plan to buy- or even the home you live in now- has suffered from water damage or even mold, it’s time to call in the professionals. Water damage restoration and mold removal are just two of the many services offered by Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services. You can even submit a service request today!

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Fire Prevention Tips

A homeowner’s worst nightmare: a fire. You may have as little as two minutes to escape in the event a fire starts in your home. But did you know that most home fires are preventable? Here are a few ways you can stop a nightmare from becoming a reality.

Space Heaters

It’s in the name: space. Give space heaters space. Make sure they are at least three feet from anything that could catch fire and burn. When you can’t keep an eye on them- like when you leave the house or go to sleep- it’s best to turn them off.

Cooking

Stay in the kitchen when cooking. Whether you’re frying, grilling, or broiling, unattended food has the potential to overcook and catch fire. Even if you only have to leave the room for a few minutes, it is safer to turn off the stove.

Matches and Lighters

Make sure matches and lighters are out of reach of children. You can either store them up high, or in a cabinet with a child-proof lock.

Candles

Although they can make your home smell great, candles can be one of the most hazardous things found in a home. Make sure you keep lit candles at least one foot from anything that could burn. Additionally, do not leave them burning when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Smoking

If you or anyone visiting your home smokes, ask them to do so outside. Additionally, have a sturdy ashtray available so that ashes and the end of the cigarette can be disposed of properly without the chance of starting a fire.

Fire Escape Plan

In case of fire, you should have a home fire escape plan. Sit down with your family and make sure everyone has at least two unobstructed exits- including windows- from every room. You should practice your escape plan twice a year and have a meeting place outside.

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are your best early warning system. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement and outside sleeping areas. Don’t forget two replace the batteries once a year or whenever the alarm “chirps” indicating a low battery.

If your home has suffered fire or smoke damage, call in the professionals. They will be able to assess the damage and get your house feeling like home again. Fill out a service request form from Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services today!

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How to Prepare for Professional Carpet Cleaning

If the carpets in your home have stains you can’t get out or have just seen better days, it may be time for professional carpet cleaning. The professionals have special equipment that can deep clean your carpets. They also have the knowhow for getting those stubborn stains out. Although you may think you don’t need to do anything in preparation for professional carpet cleaning, there are actually a few things you can do to make their job easier.

Vacuum

Vacuuming your carpets before the professionals arrive is a great way to give them a head start. By making sure your carpet is free of dirt or other debris, the cleaners can get right to work tackling the more intense, soiled-in dirt.

Another thing you can do before the carpet cleaners arrive is dust the surrounding area. This will prevent the dust from falling back onto your freshly cleaned carpets. It’ll also help keep them looking spotless for longer. Baseboards, shelves, and electronics all tend to collect the most dust, so focus on those areas.

Move Furniture

If you’re paying to have your carpet cleaned, you want all of it to get cleaned. This means moving your furniture out of the way of the cleaners. Although some professional carpet cleaning companies will move your furniture for you, there may be extra fees involved.

Put Away Valuable and Fragile Objects

Accidents happens, that’s just part of life. But you can minimize them by putting away valuable or fragile objects before the professionals arrive. Any glass or porcelain objects kept on your coffee table, side tables, or cabinets should be put somewhere safe. These places can easily get bumped into during your carpet cleaning.

Move Your Curtains/Drapes

Curtains and drapes that reach all the way to the floor can be a great design choice for your home. Unfortunately, they’re not such a great choice if you’re having your carpets professionally cleaned. Not only can they get in the way of the carpet cleaners, they can become damaged if they get wet during the process or are dangling onto the damp carpet afterwards.

Take Out Your Pets

If your pets don’t like the vacuum, they’re definitely not going to like carpet cleaning equipment. Even if they are friendly, it’s a good idea to keep them out of the way of your carpet cleaning crew. It’s one less thing for them to worry about as they get the job done. If you can’t set up a space for your pets inside away from the cleaning, they can play outside or perhaps you have a neighbor or nearby family member that can look after them for the day.

Save a Parking Space

Although a lot of the preparation for professional carpet cleaning takes place inside your home, there’s something you can do outside as well. Save a parking space for the cleaners that is as close to your front door as possible. This small kindness can go a long way to making their job easier since they won’t have to lug their equipment farther than they need to.

If you need your carpets professionally cleaned, contact Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Service today!

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Common Types of Mold Found in Homes

If you’ve recently experienced water damage in your home, there’s a chance there could be mold lurking. Mold loves to grow in dark, damp environments such as behind furniture or appliances, under flooring, or even in the walls of your home. Here are some of the most common types of molds found in homes.

White Mold

“White mold” can be tricky because it is used to describe the beginning stages of many species of mold. Although there are some molds that remain white once they grow spores, others will start to change colors as the spores are produced. In general, white mold will appear as a powdery or filmy substance on a surface. Common food sources of white mold include wood, drywall, carpeting, and other organic materials.

Green Mold

Chances are you’ve seen green mold growing on fruits, bread, or other food you’ve left in the back of the refrigerator for too long. Unfortunately, it can also grow in wet areas of your home. This type of mold will appear soft and fuzzy and comes in many shades of green. The most common types of green mold include Cladosporium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium. Although green is a common hue for these molds, they can also be found in blue and black.

Orange Mold

Orange mold is most commonly found outside on decaying organic matter like fallen trees or leaf piles. However, it can still be found indoors. If you have hard water, meaning your water has a high dissolved mineral content, then you may be prone to orange mold. It can grow in your shower or even in your toilet bowl where there can be a lot of bacteria.

Black Mold

The most infamous of all the molds, black mold is highly feared by any homeowner. Because of its toxic nature, black mold can cause allergic reactions and health problems in those who have been exposed to it. Depending on the length of exposure, you can expect to experience anything from fatigue and headaches to fevers and rashes. Like other molds, black mold is most likely to grow where it is warm and humid. This often means it can be found in your home’s basement or crawlspace. These are also the most common locations of leaks or other sources of moisture in your home.

Do you suspect you’ve been exposed to any of these types of mold in your home, or have recently had water damage? Your next step is simple. Call in the professionals. They’ll be able to assess the situation and get your home back to being a safe place for you and your family. If you have water damage or need mold removal, contact Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Service today!

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How To Prevent Basement Flooding

Returning from vacation or even a day at work can quickly turn into a nightmare if you discover your basement has flooded in your absence. Anything from a broken pipe to excessive amounts of rain can cause flooding. Luckily, there are ways to help prevent this nightmare from becoming your reality.

Gutters and Downspouts

In the event of heavy rain, it’s your gutters are going to help keep your basement dry. Make sure you’re cleaning your gutters every spring and fall. Clogged gutters don’t drain correctly and will dump water directly onto your foundation. Over time, heavy rains will soak through your foundation and into your basement.

Along with clean gutters, downspouts can also help keep you prevent basement flooding. Downspouts should direct water at least three feet away from your foundation. You may also need additional extensions or troughs to achieve this distance.

Landscaping and Grading

If you have flowerbeds or other landscaping around your home, it is a good idea to leave a gap or barrier between them and your home. Mulch and soil retain water that can eventually find its way into your basement.

Your yard also plays an important role in preventing basement flooding. The slope of your yard could allow water to pool around your foundation, eventually allowing water to seep in. Depending on the grade, or slope, of your yard, you may need to regrade your lawn or even install drains.

Window Well Covers and Foundation

If you have basement windows that are below-grade, you’ll want to install window well covers. When fastened securely to your home’s foundation over the windows, the covers will help to waterproof your basement and prevent it from flooding.

However, you also need your foundation to be in good condition. While installing window well covers, check over your foundation. If you find any cracks, be sure to repair them as soon as possible. Water will always find the path of least resistance, and windows and foundation cracks are an open invitation to water.

Sewer and Septic

Clogs, sewer backups, and overflows can wreak havoc on your basement. When was the last time you had your sewer inspected or your septic tank cleaned? Proper maintenance will ensure that these systems are running smoothly and keeping not only water- but wastewater- out of your basement.

What happens if your basement floods?

Unfortunately, not every plan is foolproof. In the event your basement does flood, make sure to call in the experts as soon as possible. The quicker they can assess the situation and get your basement dried out, the less likely further damage- like a mold infestation- will be able to occur. You can contact Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services anytime to fill out a Service Request!   

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Getting Smoke Odor Out of Your Home

Whether from smoking, burning a fire in your fireplace, or from a recent home fire, the lingering smell of smoke isn’t one most people want in their home. No matter the cause, it can take several different methods to get that stink out. Here are some all natural methods you can try to get that smoke odor out of your home!

Open the windows. The first thing you want to do is get some fresh air circulating. Open all of the windows! If you have fans, get them going too. They will help pull the smoky air from the room. Keep the windows open and the fans going for as long as you can.  

Baking soda is great at absorbing. Burning scents candles or spraying aerosol room fresheners will only mask the smoke odor for a little while. Instead, you want something that will absorb the scent. You can sprinkle baking soda on your soft surfaces such as carpets and couches. Leave it to sit for a few hours, and then vacuum it up.

Vinegar is for more than just salad. A household staple, vinegar is great for anything from salads to DIY cleaning solutions. Just like baking soda, vinegar will help to neutralize odors, not just cover them up. Although pungent, leaving vinegar in bowls around your home will reduce the smoke smell. You can also add it to loads of laundry that have been affected.

Charcoal traps smells. Most home improvement stores carry a range of activated charcoal products specifically for odor elimination. Those bags of activated charcoal are for more than just helping with your smelly shoes. Place several bags around a smoky room or place them on any furniture. Just make sure not to put the activated charcoal powder directly onto any fabrics since it can stain.

Steam it away. Steam cleaning is great for more than just pet stains and Kool-Aid spills. The combination of steam and heat can help break down the smoke molecules that are left over in your upholstery and carpets. Although you can rent a steam cleaner, it’s always a good idea to call in the professionals, especially if you have severe smoke damage. You can contact Thomas’ Carpet Cleaning and Restoration Services anytime to fill out a Service Request!

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