Carpet Tips for Pet Owners

They may be cute, but pets can wreak havoc on your carpets.  Whether they're shedding on it, peeing on it, or dragging fresh "kill" from your backyard onto it, your carpet is sure to suffer.  Follow these tips to keep the damage to a minimum:

• Vacuum often, even if your dog or cat doesn't shed or only sheds a little.  Chances are there's still a lot of hair and dander embedded in your carpet fibers.  Plus, dogs bring in a lot of other debris, seeing as they can't exactly take their shoes off at the door. 
• Wash your pet often, even if it thinks water is its kryptonite, as mine does.
• Brush regularly, as it will cut down on shedding. 
• Be careful with household cleaning products - many household cleaners can actually be very damaging and ruin your carpets permanently.  (Read our blog, "Some Carpet Sprays Do More Harm Than Good" to learn more)
• The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) recommends that pet owners have their carpets professionally cleaned at least once every 12-18 months.  It's cool to use your SpotBot for quick cleanups, but that shouldn't take the place of a periodic deep cleaning.  Professional cleaners are much more effective in removing stains and odors permanently.

Some Carpet Sprays Do More Harm Than Good!

I can't tell you how many customers say, "I sprayed this stain with ____ [fill in almost any household carpet spray], and now my carpet looks lighter in that area.  Can you get that out?"

I have to resist the urge to yell, "That's the worst thing you can do!"  In many cases, we cannot "get that out," because it is not a stain - they've actually removed the color from the carpet fibers -permanently.

The fact is, not all carpet cleaning solutions are safe for your rugs and carpets.  Most of the products in stores do not have the Carpet and Rug Institute's (CRI) Seal of Approval.  These companies can sell you potentially harmful cleaners as long as they recommend that you "spot test" your carpet before use.  Unfortunately, most people don't bother with spot testing, and their carpets are ruined as a result. 

At Renewit, we don't represent or endorse any brand of cleaning solutions, so I won't give you a long list of all the sprays that can potentially ruin your carpet while claiming to clean it.  But I can give you a link to the CRI's Seal of Approval products:  http://www.carpet-rug.org/residential-customers/cleaning-and-maintenance/seal-of-approval-products/cleaning-solutions-list.cfm?product_type=0&manuf_id=0.  Many of these products can be found in local stores: Arm & Hammer, Febreze and SimpleGreen, to name a few (and if anyone from these companies wants to send a commission check our way, feel free!). 

If you absolutely must use a carpet spray, use a CRI Seal of Approval product.  Although these products have the Seal of Approval, the CRI still recommends spot testing (sorry - the CRI has to cover their butts, too).  Just know that you are better off with an approved cleaner than without.  Apply a small amount of the cleaner to the cloth, not the carpet.  Work in gently from the edge to the center.  Blot and repeat until the spot is removed, using as little product as possible. 

If the stain just won't come out, contact your local carpet cleaning company.  With their tools and products, they have the best shot of saving your carpet from a date with the garbage bin.  If you are in the Greater Rochester, NY area, call Renewit at 585-473-7821.

How to Handle a Sewage Break

Water damage is bad enough, but sewage breaks are flat out disgusting.  Removing the sewage from your home or business is a no-brainer --- the sooner, the better.  Sewage ruins furniture, walls, air ducts, carpeting, etc.  If left unattended to for prolonged periods of time, it becomes toxis and leads to more damage, such as mold, mildew and airborne diseases.  These are serious health threats, not to be taken lightly. 

Taking care of the problem correctly requires protective gear, specialized cleaning agents, and high-tech sewage cleanup equipment.  For this reason, sewage cleanup is generally not the best DIY project.  Sewage cleanup is best left in the hands of professionals. 

If you experience a sewage break in your home or business, take the following steps to ensure that the problem is addressed safely and efficiently:

1. Turn off electricity to the affected area.
2. Shut off the main water supply and call a plumber.  Be sure to look for one that provides emergency service to ensure a timely arrival.
3. Contact a local emergency sewage cleanup service.  If you live in the Greater Rochester, NY area, call Renewit Cleaning & Restoration at 585-473-7821.  We are available 24/7/365.
4. Call your insurance company to ensure that the damage is covered under your policy.

Renewit (and any reputable emergency sewage cleanup service in your area) will send a team of experts to assess the damage and propose a comprehensive plan to remove the sewage from your home or business.  Your emergency sewage cleanup service will most likely:

1. Use water extraction systems to remove and dispose of the water and sewage overflow.
2. Remove porous, contaminated content and structural material, such as carpet/carpet padding, drywall, insulation, moldings, etc.
3. Disinfect non-porous contaminated surfaces using specialized cleaning agents and antimicrobials.
4. Deep clean any salvageable carpeting or upholstered furniture using hot water extraction.
5. Speed the drying process and remove moisture using industrial strength dehumidifiers.
6. Deordorize the affected area if needed.

If you live in the Greater Rochester, NY area and choose to call Renewit, rest assured that our team is trained, certified and experienced in sewage cleanup.  We won't leave until your property is fresh, clean and sanitized!  Remember, the longer you wait, the more serious the health risks become --- quick reaction time can save your property and valuables from the long-term effects of water damage and microbial growth. 

Call Renewit today!  585-473-7821