Many of us have granite countertops in our kitchens. While some of us may have a cleaning lady to help us keep our granite looking beautiful, some of us do not. What is the best way to keep your granite countertops sparkling clean?

If your kitchen is the center of your home then it probably sees a lot of traffic. Kids doing homework, your husband leaving miscellaneous tools lying around and that pile of projects you’ve been meaning to get to. The first step in cleaning your countertops may not seem obvious, however, it is imperative.

Clean the clutter off your countertops. You can’t clean well if they are littered with papers, bills and God knows whatever else migrates and seems to permanently live there.

Run hot water on a clean soft cloth. Add a squeeze of mild dish detergent. Squeeze some of the water out of the cloth, but leave it juicy.

Gently wipe up spills and grease spots.

Rinse the cloth thoroughly under hot running water. Add another small squeeze of dish detergent. Twist the cloth so it doesn’t drip.

Rub the cloth over the entire countertop with circular motions. Go over the spots again where there was dirt or grease.

Run hot water over the cloth until all the soap is rinsed out.

Wipe the granite counter with the moist hot cloth to remove all soapy residues. You may need to rinse the cloth under hot water several times to get the countertop squeaky clean.

Dry the countertop with paper towels or a dry soft clean cloth.

Now you have clutter-free and sparkling clean countertops. Isn’t it a nice feeling?

Your pet probably has as much a run of your house as you do. In most homes, pets are treated as members of the family. However this does present some décor and cleaning issues.

Let’s look at your home décor from your pet’s perspective and try to find ways to overcome the challenges your pet creates.

Pet: I love the comfort of the sofa, the couch and everything else that’s cushioned.

There should be some boundaries as to what you allow your pet to lounge upon. If you allow your pet to lounge on the sofa, your bed, etc., you are allowing your pet to think they are your equal. For a better behaved pet, you should be the dominant or authoritative figure. By not allowing your pet on the furniture, your pet will respect you and the rules you make for them. It is ok to have a pet bed in your living space. By creating separate spaces for you and your pet, you will have cleaner furniture and your pet will see you as the authoritative figure. Just to be on the safe side, only have fabrics and upholstery that are washable. Pets will get on the furniture when you are not around, unless you block off certain spaces while you are away.

Pet: *shake shake* I’ll shed where I like.

Your pet’s hair will sometimes be difficult to clean up. Invest in a good vacuum with strong suction power and try to vacuum daily; at least vacuum two to three times a week, in order to maintain a grasp on shedding.

Pet: A carpeted floor! Ooh la la!

There are some things you’ll have to deny yourself and your pet, if you want to stay within the same premises. A carpeted floor is one of them. Pet stains can be quite stubborn and a wall-to-wall carpet is not always a good idea. If you do want to have the feel of carpet beneath your feet, opt for an area rug, which is relatively low-maintenance and easy to clean (because you can remove them from the space for a deep clean; unlike wall to wall carpet).

Pet: Can you get me a toy? Please…

Get attractive wicker baskets or containers for your pet’s toys. These will help keep them in one place and blend in with other décor. Particularly opt for a container with a lid that can be open or closed per your discretion.

At the end of a long work day walking into the comfort of your home is a treat. Nothing is better than the look and smell of freshly washed hardwood floors, free of dirt, stains and pet hair.  Whether you just installed hardwood floors or purchased a home with them, here is a list of tips to help you maintain and keep your hardwood floors looking brand new.

Remember to wipe your feet before walking on your hardwood floors. Regularly shake out rugs and mats at each entrance to your home.

Water and hardwood floors do not mix. Avoid using large amounts of water on your flooring. Mop up spills quickly as wood expands with water, which can lead to cracking and splintering. Placing a mat or rug near sinks is also a good idea as splashing happens.

Floors with a urethane finish should not be waxed and require cleaning products that will not leave a residue.  Check with us before choosing a product if you are unsure.

Sweep often to pick up dirt and gritty particles that can scratch your floors.

Use a vacuum cleaner (with the brush attachment) to pick up dirt left behind by sweeping.

Spots can be removed by spraying floor cleaner on a soft cloth. Buff the spot away. For more stubborn stains use a damp cloth – just be sure you are not using too much water.

Buff your floors after sweeping with a soft mop. This will help keep your floors looking shiny and lusterous.

The time spent caring for your hardwood floors will ensure they stay looking beautiful for years to come.

Happy day after the 4th of July!  We hope you and your family enjoyed your holiday weekend!  If you were barbequing at all, we thought we’d share some tips with you on how to remove barbeque sauce from the carpet, just in case there was a spill.  We hope you don’t have to use this, but if you do, we hope you find in useful!

Solvent – A non-flammable spot removal solution, or dry cleaning type solvent, is preferred. Exercise caution when using a solvent. Never pour it directly onto the carpet or allow it to reach the backing, because it can damage the latex that holds the primary and secondary backings together. Acceptable solvents include Carbona®, Energine®, K2R®, Goof-Off®, etc.

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (fluorescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. CRI – 1-800-882-8846.

Do you have a close friend or family member that is temporarily limited to bed or staying at home due to illness or a broken bone? There is nothing more frustrating than lack of mobility and feeling bad for a long period of time.

There are things you can to do reduce the difficulty of dealing with this situation. Here are a few suggestions that can help reduce their frustration and make the process more tolerable.

To start, when you visit, ask if there is anything you can do. For someone laid up with one room to look at day after day, having a crooked picture on the wall or a wrinkle in the drapes can really get challenging. Just straightening up whatever they want straightened will cheer up the space. If they don’t ask, do it anyway. Empty the wastebasket and clear out yesterday’s newspapers if they’re done reading them.

Make sure the floor is clear of tripping hazards and obstacles – particularly between them and the bathroom. If they’re dealing with a walker or wheelchair, the easier it is to get to critical locations the better.

Bring lunch. Chances are the food options are limited. If you know their favorite pizza place, stop by for one topped the way they like it. Bring something home cooked, or donuts from their favorite bakery. This is a gift that keeps on giving even after you leave.

Finally, stay in touch. Even a phone call when you can’t make it over can help. Isolation is one of the biggest challenges of being home or bedroom-bound. Your voice and your presence can make a difference.

Happy almost Easter everyone!  We thought we’d share a few cleaning tips with you regarding Easter egg dye and carpet.  Hopefully you do not have to use this advice, but here it is just in case.

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (fluorescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. CRI – 1-800-882-8846.

We hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day on Monday!  Just in case the chocolate box got a little out of hand, we thought we would share a few helpful tips about getting chocolate out of carpet!

Solvent – A non-flammable spot removal solution, or dry cleaning type solvent, is preferred. Exercise caution when using a solvent. Never pour it directly onto the carpet or allow it to reach the backing, because it can damage the latex that holds the primary and secondary backings together.  Acceptable solvents include Carbona®, Energine®, K2R®, Goof-Off®, etc.

Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.)  Care should be used in selecting a detergent.  Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (fluorescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution.  It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change.  Be sure to test a hidden area.

Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills.  Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question.  Carpet & Rug Institute – 1-800-882-8846

It’s getting close to that time of year! Pumpkin carving time!! This year, before you get started – take a few moments to bookmark or print this page so that in the event that you have a pumpkin mess during your carving, you won’t have to worry.

Below are some easy to follow instructions for removal of pumpkin stains from carpet.

Detergent Solution - Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (flourescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.

Vinegar Solution - Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.

Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.

Ammonia Solution - Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.

When in doubt , Call a Professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question.

Have you considered enforcing a “shoes off” policy in your home? This will certainly keep your carpets cleaner, and also reduces allergens brought into the home. In Japan, this is common practice but it is still rare here. If you decide to give this approach a try, a few steps on your part will make the tradition more acceptable for your guests and easier for you.

First – make sure your guests know about this policy before coming. This ensures no embarrassment due to scruffy socks or other concerns. It also allows people to bring their own slippers if they prefer.

Let people know that you have a wide selection of comfortable clean slippers available in every size. Often you can find slippers at discount stores for very reasonable prices. Make sure they are machine washable, so you can launder them between uses. You may even want to label a few pair for regular visitors as well as family members.

Provide a comfortable bench or chair for people to make the change from shoes to socks or slippers. Shoe cubbies give guests a nice option for storing their footwear. Have the slippers on shelves sorted by size, and also locate a basket in the area for discarding the worn slippers for future laundering.

Be sure your family also follows these rules. It would be unfair and inconsiderate to your guests if family members are exempt from the policy, no matter how much the shoes are cleaned.

Thank your guests for following your request. It is a bit of a nuisance to take your shoes off and on, and it’s important for you to acknowledge their consideration.

Now that you’ve made your selection of natural flooring in the form of a sisal, coir or seagrass area rug or carpet, you want to maintain your new floor in the best way possible. Here are a couple of quick and simple ideas to help keep your new floor beautiful.

First, make sure you have a vacuum cleaner with strong beater brushes and good suction. Regular vacuuming, daily if you have lots of traffic, is your best defense against early wear on any new carpet. The best vacuuming is with multiple passes in different directions.

Any spill should be attacked immediately. For water-based spills, blot (do not rub!) the spot with a clean, absorbent, undyed cloth or paper. Start at the outside edges of the spill and work your way to the center. Depending on the spill you might need to rinse with clean water. At this point, it is important to dry the carpet with a blow dryer or another clean cloth. If using a cloth, cover the spot entirely and weight the cloth so it presses into the carpet. Don’t walk on the spot until it is completely dry.

Oil-based spills and stains clean well with dry cleaning solvent. Again, blot from the outside of the stain to the center. Be sure to apply the solvent only to your blotting cloth, rather than directly to the carpet.

Occasionally you may need to “restore” some moisture to your sisal or coir carpets. Do this by applying an even, light mist of clean water to the surface. In low humidity or high traffic areas, this helps prevent excessive dryness, which can shorten your carpet’s life.