Diamonds may be forever, but garbage runs a close second. A can of soda takes about 80-200 years to decompose, a plastic soda bottle 450 years and a glass bottle can take a million years to decompose.

Carpet doesn’t have a great track record either. As carpets are mostly made of synthetic materials, they take an incredibly long time to biodegrade. What’s worse is that we throw out a lot of carpet – some estimate billions of pounds of it every year.

That leaves some of us in a pickle. We want to get rid of that old shag carpet in the den, but we don’t want our longest-lasting contribution to history to be a piece of tacky carpet in a landfill.

Thankfully, there’s an alternative. Some businesses are now taking old carpets and recycling them. Of course, this isn’t a curbside program. If you want to take advantage of this opportunity, there’s a little bit of work involved.

Go to www.earth911.com and select the Recycling Search option. Then search for “Carpet” in your area; it should bring up carpet recycling facilities nearby. Not every town has a recycling center, though, so you may need to expand your search to neighboring cities. Once you find a facility nearby, you can take carpet there and they’ll handle the rest.

Keep in mind that some facilities will recycle your carpets for free, but others will charge you. I know that sounds a little backwards, but think of it as an investment. Pay a little now so your shag rug doesn’t become an artifact for future generations – I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.

You can also reduce your need for carpet replacement by getting regular carpet cleanings every six months. By having your carpets cleaned regularly, you can extend their life by years – which is great for both the environment and the pocketbook. If you’d like to know more about the benefits of carpet cleaning, visit us at www.oxifresh.com.

Thanks to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the Carpet America Recovery Effort for the great information.

The post Green Living: Recycling Carpet appeared first on Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Blog.

Ingredients
1 pound of shredded cabbage
1 large apple
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
1/2 cup poppyseed salad dressing

- Step 1 -
Dump the cabbage into a large bowl.

- Step 2 -
Wash the apple, core it and chop it into bite-sized chunks. Add it to the bowl.

- Step 3 -
Add the pistachios to the bowl.

- Step 4 -
Add the poppy seed dressing.

- Step 5 -
Mix the salad.

And there you have it – a simple but delicious salad, perfect for Spring and Summer. I hope you enjoy it!

Thanks to Sandra Reese for the recipe.

The post Tips & Tricks: Spring Salad appeared first on Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Blog.

Last month we learned how to clean up coffee, and this month we’re looking at another breakfast beverage – orange juice. This sweet, tangy drink is healthy, refreshing and perfect with breakfast, but it can be an annoying spill to clean up. Whenever you drop a glass of OJ, here’s what you should do:

- Step 1 -
Blot uphttp://www.oxifresh.com/carpet-cleaning-blog/wp-admin/post.php?post=2676&action=edit as much of the orange juice as you can with a clean towel, working from the outside edge toward the center. It’s important not to scrub at the spot, as that can actually make the stain worse.

- Step 2 -
In a bowl, mix four cups of warm water, 1 tsp. of a clear dish soap and 1 teaspoon of white vinegar. Soak a rag in the solution and wring it out until it’s damp.

- Step 3 -
Using this rag, blot at the spot, working from the outside edge toward the center.* Re-wet the rag as necessary.

- Step 4 -
Next, blot dry the treated area with a clean towel. If the spot still remains, repeat Steps 3 – 4 until no more of the spot comes up.

- Step 5 -
Now that you’ve treated the spot, you’ll need to rinse it to remove any residual cleaning solution. Spritz the area with warm water until it’s damp.

- Step 6 -
Blot the area with a clean towel until it’s dry.

- Step 7 -
Once you’ve done all that, let the carpet sit until it’s completely dry and then thoroughly vacuum the area.

Hopefully, the spot is gone and you’ll be free to enjoy your next glass of orange juice – just try to be more careful this time.

Thanks to howtocleanstuff.net, Mary Ylisela of eHow and the team at WikiHow for the great information.

*Before you use a cleaning solution, always test it on an inconspicuous area of the carpet. After applying the solution, wait 30-60 seconds and then blot with a clean towel to make sure there’s no color-loss or damage. You’ll want to be very careful if you have a carpet made of natural fibers.

The post The Spotlight: Orange Juice appeared first on Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Blog.

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.

Earning this certification is a sign to customers that a cleaning company can be trusted. That’s why we are proud to announce that Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning now has the CRI’s Seal of Approval! Jonathan Barnett, the president of Oxi Fresh, had this to say:

“I can’t tell you how pleased I was to hear about the CRI’s decision to list Oxi Fresh as one of their approved vendors. We take great pride in both the power and safety of our cleaning system, and to see it recognized like this is a great honor.”

If you’d like to know more about about Oxi Fresh and how they earned their CRI certification, click here.

The post Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Earns CRI Certification appeared first on Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Blog.

- The Climate and Soil -
Trees are tough, but they do have their limits. It’s important to learn about your local climate and soil type, so you can choose the best tree.

Hardiness Zone: Trees can only tolerate certain temperature ranges, or “Hardiness Zones.” To find out what zone you live in, click here and enter your zip code.

Soil Type: A healthy tree needs the right soil. There are three major types of soil – loamy, sandy, and clay – as well as different levels of drainage and acidity/alkalinity. You should determine what type of soil you have by running these tests, courtesy of Colleeen Vanderlinden.

Sun Exposure: How much sun do you get in your area and how much of your yard gets full exposure to that sunlight? Trees have different solar needs, so what you should plant in a shady lot can be very different than what you’d plant in a sunny one.

- Your Yard -
When planting a tree near your home, there are some important factors to consider.

Utility Lines: We’ve all seen those poor, pathetic trees that the utility company trimmed because the branches grew too close to the power-lines. If your yard has utility lines, plan your trees accordingly. This guide will show you the appropriate zones when it comes to keeping your trees safe from the power company. (It’s also a good idea to find out where your underground utilities are, so you don’t end up planting a tree right on top of a line).

The House: Avoid planting trees too close to you home. They can fill your gutters with leaves, interfere with plumbing and pipes and damage your roof. One guide recommends planting trees at least half the width of their mature crown (the largest the tree’s canopy will get when mature) away from the home. Others recommend planting the tree at least three quarters of the tree’s mature height away from the home.

The Sidewalk: Don’t plant fruit trees or trees that will develop thick, large roots next to sidewalks. We all know that fruit trees make for nasty sidewalks and roots make for broken ones.

- The Tree -
Now that you know more about your local climate and soil types and have considered your yard, it’s time to pick the tree. The Arbor Day Foundation has a great online tool that will let you enter the information you’ve gathered so it can find the best trees for you. You can also head over to a nursery or visit a landscaper and ask for their opinion.

In the end, you’ll undoubtedly be presented with many, many options (there are a lot great trees out there after all) – so here’s the fun part. Pick the one you’ll love the most and get ready for a great addition to your yard!

Thanks to Colleen Vanderlinden, the Arbor Day Foundation, Utah State University, and Breathing Places for the great information.

The post Green Living: Arbor Day – Picking the Right Tree appeared first on Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Blog.

However, it’s harder to appreciate this stimulating drink once it’s been spilled all over your carpet. Don’t worry – here’s a very simple way to deal with a fresh coffee stain.

- Step 1 -
As with all stains, the first thing to do with a coffee spill is to blot up as much of it as you can. With a clean towel, blot from the outside edge toward the center until no more of the coffee comes up.

- Step 2 -
In a bowl, mix the following together: one tablespoon of a dishwashing detergent, a tablespoon of white vinegar and about two cups of warm water.*

- Step 3 -
Dip a clean towel in the solution and wring it. Then, start blotting at the spot with the damp towel, working from the outside edge toward the center. Continue this process, wetting the towel as needed, until the stain is gone.

- Step 4 -
Spritz the area with clean water and then blot it dry with a clean towel to remove any remaining cleaning solution.

Thanks to Goodhousekeeping.com for the great information – hopefully it will take care of your spot. But if it doesn’t or you’re dealing with a particularly severe stain, there’s always Oxi Fresh. Our oxygen powered solutions can cut through coffee stains and revitalize your carpets, and scheduling is as easy as going to www.oxifresh.com!

*Before you use a cleaning solution, always test it on an inconspicuous area of the carpet. After applying the solution, wait 30-60 seconds and then blot with a clean towel to make sure there’s no color-loss or damage. You’ll want to be very careful if you have a carpet made of natural fibers.

The post The Spotlight: Coffee Stains appeared first on Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Blog.

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.

The post Tips & Tricks: Earth Day – Little Things Matter appeared first on Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Blog.

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.

The post Oxi Fresh Releases Online Scheduling! appeared first on Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Blog.

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.

The post How To Choose A Carpet Cleaner appeared first on Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Blog.

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.

The post Home Carpet Cleaning Pointers appeared first on Oxi Fresh Carpet Cleaning Blog.