Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Earns CRI Certification

Categories: Oxi Fresh News

The Carpet and Rug Institute, or CRI, was founded to promote the development of the carpet industry. They work hand-in-hand with carpets manufacturers, sellers and cleaners in order to establish standards and practices that foster growth and quality service. One of the ways they do this is through the Seal of Approval program.

Carpet cleaning companies can submit their cleaning system to the CRI, who in turn will perform a series of rigorous tests. Their tests cover more than just cleaning power, they also inspect things like carpet wear over multiple cleanings, the pH levels of the products and even re-staining propensity. If a company passes these tests – which isn’t easy – they’ll become a Seal of Approval service provider. Continue Reading post – Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Earns CRI Certification

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Tips & Tricks: Earth Day – Little Things Matter

Categories: Carpet Cleaning Tips, Oxi Fresh News

We hope everyone had a great Earth Day. It’s always good to spend time helping the environment and trying to be green, but around this time of year the sheer number of suggestions and tips can be a bit overwhelming.

So today we’re just going to look at five very simple ways to be green – things you can do without having to buy a composting bin or install solar panels (although those are great things to do).

- Use Rechargeable Batteries -
Besides our phones and laptops, a lot of our portable electronics still require old-fashion batteries. If we’re not careful, we can go through a lot of these in a year. So why not swap them out for some rechargeable ones?
Initially, it will cost you a little more to switch over to rechargeable batteries, but as this article points out, it’s money you’ll make back.

- Grab a Bottle -
We never seem to stop moving. There’s always an errand to run, a game to attend or work to get to – and that’s made convenience King. But let’s stop using disposable water bottles and coffee cups and instead go for permanent alternatives. Steel or insulated steel bottles and traveling mugs can save tons of trash. Also – some coffee shops will give you a discount if you bring in your own cup!

- Go for the Towels -
“I guess we should know that paper towels are bad for the environment, because they do have a lumberjack right on the label.” Comedian Jim Gaffigan makes a good point. Trying to reduce the amount of paper towels we use – or getting rid of them entirely – is a great goal. Let’s try to use dishrags or cotton towels instead.

- Give Away -
Before you throw something in the bin, ask yourself if someone else could use it. A lot of what we throw out can actually be donated. Drop off your donations at your local thrift store or try sharing services like Freecycle.

- Lights Off -
All right – time to sound like a grumpy dad. When you leave a room, be sure to turn off the lights. It doesn’t really shorten the bulb’s life or waste more energy, as some urban legends say. It’s just better to turn them off.

These may seem like small changes, but it’s remarkable just how much of a difference they can make. If you’re looking for more ways to be green, head over to Safety At Home and read their article 100 Easy Ways to Live Greener.

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Oxi Fresh Releases Online Scheduling!

Categories: Oxi Fresh News

The internet has made life a lot more convenient. You can buy movie tickets, schedule flights and pay bills with a click. Now, you can even schedule your Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning appointments online!

Book Your Appointments Online!

That’s right – by going to www.oxifresh.com, you can schedule a cleaning for your carpet and upholstery quickly and easily. All you have to do is enter your zip code and click “Go.” Then you’ll be able to add your services, pick your time and set up your appointment (we’ll even throw in some coupons!)

If you’d like to read more about our online scheduling tool, click here. To get started booking your appointment, just got to www.oxifresh.com.

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How To Choose A Carpet Cleaner

Categories: Oxi Fresh News

With springtime right around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about projects around the house, such as cleaning your carpets.  Make sure you’re taking the right steps when you hire a professional carpet cleaner and ensure you don’t get swept under the rug.  Better Business Bureaus across the United States estimated nearly 2,000 complaints were regarding carpet and rug cleaners in 2012, and more than 502,000 inquiries about companies in the industry last year, a 17 percent increase since 2011.

Better Business Bureaus offer these tips to people in the market for a professional carpet cleaner:

• Ask friends and family for recommendations for a professional carpet cleaner.  If they’ve had success with a particular carpet cleaner, there’s a good chance you will with that same company.

• Find out basic information about the carpet cleaners before pursuing them.  See if the company is a Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Approved Service Provider.  Be sure to ask if the company is insured or bonded.  That way any damage doesn’t come out of your wallet.

• Then begin to ask questions regarding their service and what it includes.  Ask if workers will move furniture, what kinds of cleaning agents will be used, how long it will take to dry, if fumes will be a problem, and if there are extra charges for heavily soiled areas where pretreatments or spot cleaning may be necessary.

• Get everything in writing and ask if the company guarantees their work.

Once you’ve selected a professional carpet cleaner, schedule your appointment and prepare the rooms for cleaning.  Move your valuable items such as pictures and vases, move items on the floor that may get in the way of cleaning.

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Home Carpet Cleaning Pointers

Categories: Oxi Fresh News

As the weather gets warmer and the days grow longer, families tend to spend more time outside.  That can only mean one thing, constant activity in and out the door and dirty carpets.  Keeping carpets clean might seem like a daunting task, but with these tricks and tips, carpet cleaning is quicker and easier than you’d think.

Carpet is perfect for many households, it provides good traction, absorbs noise, and provides natural insulation for rooms.  Many people with allergies avoid carpet because they are home to dust, mites, and molds, but regularly cleaned carpets can be just fine for people with allergies.

These tips should help you ensure your carpet is clean and healthy.

Vacuuming is the first step in carpet maintenance.  Removing the dirt and soils before they’ve been trampled down can really help in effective carpet cleaning.  Removing these particles before they’ve settled and using slow, repetitive, overlapping motions can ensure you get right up to where dust, pollens, and other germs like to accumulate.

Generally, people are advised to vacuum once a week, depending on how frequently the area is used, but the chances are you’ll likely want to do it more often.  Experts at the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), a national carpet trade association that focuses on science-based research, customer advocacy and environmental initiatives, recommends vacuuming high-traffic or pet areas daily, medium-traffic areas require about twice a week and light-traffic areas about once a week. Just as you wouldn’t wear a shirt over and over again without washing it, you don’t want to go too long between vacuuming your carpets.

Food stains and dirty paws often leave marks that seem far too difficult to remove.  Now matter how hard you scrub, some stains just don’t seem to come out.  Stains do happen, so it’s important to act quickly and correctly when cleaning your carpet stains.  Scoop up solids and blot liquids with a dry cloth or paper town.

After you’ve taken care of the initials steps of carpet cleaning, treat the stain with a tested and approved carpet cleaning solution.  For more serious stains like wine or chocolate, try mixing some clear dish washing liquid with warm water and blot up as much of the spill as you can.  For coffee or tea stains, try mixing vinegar with 1 cup of water and for ink stains, applying rubbing alcohol to a cloth and blotting the stain. Remember to always start from the edges and move to the center to prevent the stain to prevent it from spreading.  Be sure to test these products on an inconspicuous area of carpet first, to make sure they don’t cause any colorloss.

Whether you’re trying to create a regular carpet cleaning routine or just improve your carpet cleaning habits, these tips will help you keep your carpet looking clean and fresh long into the future.

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Avoid Chemical Cleaners For Green Carpet Cleaning

Categories: Oxi Fresh News

Whether it’s wall-to-wall carpeting, area rugs, or any type of floor covering, your carpets will eventually need a good cleaning.  When you’re cleaning your carpet, avoid chemical cleaners and treatments and go with a green clean.

One of the biggest problems with indoor carpet is that it serves as a perfect home for mites, molds, and dust.  Although many of us believe we can rid our carpets of such infestations with a thorough vacuuming, clean carpets eventually means carpet cleaners, many of which contain the dry cleaning agent, perchloroethylene (perc).  Another common agent in carpet cleaners is naphthalene, a possibly carcinogenic linked to red blood cell damage.

Beyond the potential cancer-causing risks of both perc and naphthalene, many people report dizziness, nausea and irritation from the fumes. Pets are equally affected. Neither substance has any place in a healthy home.

Hiring a professional cleaner can be difficult without asking the right questions and getting the right information.  Ask about green solutions suitable for carpet machines and spot application in home use, their ingredients are usually both people and pet friendly.

Spot maintenance is also an important component of carpet cleaning.  For more specific stains and odors, there are cleaning agents found in most households.  For red wine stains, mud or dirt, use salt; club soda for coffee stains; and cornstarch or cornmeal for grease.  Sprinkling odored carpets with baking soda and allowing to it to sit over night before vacuuming can really help.  Sunlight is also a great deodorant and does wonders with bathroom mats and area rugs.

Commercial carpet steamers can come with recirculating pesticides and chemical residue from past customer cleanings, rinse out the cleaning chamber with warm water to avoid these unwanted agents.

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