Should You Wash Cushion Covers?

You notice your sofa cushions are a little dingy, which is perfectly normal with kids, pets and normal usage, so you decide to do-it-yourself and wash the cushion covers. They come out looking nice. But you also notice a little problem. The colors aren’t as bright as they used to be, and it takes a lot of effort to get the covers back over the foam cushions themselves. In fact, for one cushion, you can’t even get it zipped up all the way!

 
The reason is that cushion covers are not designed to be washed like normal laundry. “But it has zippers!” you exclaim. That’s for the convenience of the furniture manufacturing company or the upholsterer.
 
Keep these points in mind if you are tempted to wash your cushion covers:

1. When you wash the cushion covers, there is some danger in fabric shrinkage and dye loss. If this happens, there is not much you can do to fix it.
2. Shrinkage typically occurs in the dryer, so if you are tempted to wash your own cushion covers, hang them to dry (but remember there is always risk).
3. Dyes are funny things. The dyes on your favorite t-shirts are pretty tough and durable and last a long time, but on upholstery they can bleed or fade. 
4. Putting cushion covers in the laundry can also cause problems with the integrity of the fabric, such as any latex backing that could be present; delamination, or the separation of the face fiber and backing, can occur.
   
   
   

 
So while you may do this, remove your cushion covers for laundering, keep these points in mind and be very careful with your valuable furnishings! Do your furniture and all upholstery fabric a huge favor: call your cleaning professionals at Executive Floor Care today! With over 40 years experience we can get your upholstery looking its best in no time! 772-510-5501

Area Rug Cleaning

 

Many have the misconception that area rugs need to be removed from your home in order to be cleaned.  

Or that they need to be submerged in water to get clean.   In reality, an area rug, whether made from natural fibers or synthetic one, is no different than your wall-to-wall carpeting.  It’s just not attached to the floor!

Here are some benefits of having your area rug cleaned in your home:

1. Convenience: Having your area rug cleaned in your home is convenient as you don't have to take it to a cleaning service or store.

2. Cost-effective: Cleaning your area rug in your home is cost-effective as you don't have to pay for transportation or storage fees.

4. Customized cleaning: Cleaning your area rug in your home allows you to customize the cleaning process to your specific needs.

5. Health benefits: Cleaning your area rug in your home can improve the air quality in your home by removing dust, dirt, and allergens.

6. Prolongs the life of your rug: Regular cleaning of your area rug can help prolong its life by removing dirt and debris that can cause wear and tear.

7. Improves the appearance of your rug: Cleaning your area rug in your home can improve its appearance by removing stains and reviving its original color.

Here at Executive Floor Care we want your area rug cleaning experience to be a good one.  Call today for your free quote and have your area rugs deep cleaned today - right in your home!     772-510-5501

How to Remove Adhesive Residues

 When something is stuck — and you don’t want it to be stuck — that can be a problem.

This is especially true when it comes to tape, glue, and other sticky stuff we use all the time in our homes and businesses. You can use soap and water, you can scrub, you can get red in the face… but when it comes to proper adhesive residue removal, there is a better way.

Scrape it off

If the adhesive residue is on a flat, hard surface, using a straight razor blade can remove the majority of the residue. It basically slices it off the surface. But be careful you don’t scratch the surface, especially wood and natural materials. If that happens, you have permanent damage. After scraping, you will still need a little dry solvent, such as rubbing alcohol or acetone, to remove what’s remaining. A few seconds of contact time is all that is needed.

Dissolve and remove

If the adhesive residue is on a soft surface, such as carpet, furniture, or clothing, you can’t scrape it off. You need to dissolve the residue and then blot or rinse it away. This isn’t easy. If you apply too much dry solvent (rubbing alcohol, acetone, etc) you can delaminate the fabric if it has a backing. You can also dissolve glues that are part of the fabric. It’s best to add a small amount of dry solvent to a white, cotton cloth that you can dispose of, and blot at the residue. Several applications will be necessary, depending on the type of residue.

The challenge is the adhesive residue does not dissolve in anything but a dry solvent. Yes, you can use high heat and hopefully soften the residue for removal, but that is problematic at best.

One big issue is when tape is used on carpet. Even if you remove the tape and clean the residue, over time, that sticky residue remaining will collect soils, such as from foot traffic. A dark line will form. Repeated cleanings will help, but this is an often-frustrating task.

The real solution is to get some advice from your favorite cleaning company. Carpet and furniture cleaning companies deal with adhesive residues every day and know what to do. Let them handle this for you.

After all, it pays to call Executive Floor Care!  Give us a call today 772-510-5501