Why Does This Carpet Stain Keep Coming Back?

Posted Friday, March 15th, 2019

carpet spot keeps reappearing stain won't go away spot comes backWe all have that one area. That one spot in the carpet that’s always there. You know the one: a little discoloration, a splotch, a patch, just a little bit different from the rest of the floor. Maybe you’ve even tried to clean it, but, like a winter cold, you just can’t seem to shake it. That carpet stain keeps coming back no matter what you do.

What do you do with carpet spots that just won’t go away? After 4+ decades of cleaning experience, our expert Modtechs have identified the 3 main reasons carpet spots keep reappearing.

Spot vs Stain

There’s one thing we need to clarify first – the difference between a stain and a spot. Colloquially, they’re used interchangeably; we often refer to spots as stains and stains as spots in casual conversation, but did you know they have distinct definitions?
In the professional world of carpet cleaning, a spot is the substance of whatever is on your carpet: a food spot, coffee spot, a dirt spot. The material you can see on your carpet makes a spot, and spots are almost always removable.

A stain, however, is generally more permanent. When carpet gets stained, dyes from the substance (the spot) are transferred into the fibers, changing their color. Sometimes this can be reversed to a degree, but dye transference actively changes the coloring of the fibers – meaning the original color has been altered and makes it very unlikely it will be able to get back to its exact shade.

An easy way to remember the difference is to think about what each one adds:

  • A spot adds substance
  • A stain adds color

That’s why we don’t like to call something a stain unless we know for sure that the fibers have been dyed!

1: Betrayed by Over-The-Counter Products

The Problem: If you’ve used an over-the-counter spot cleaner, chances are it worked pretty well – at first, anyway. Many carpet cleaning products available on grocery store shelves contain some kind of soap, which, in theory, sounds like it should be a good thing for your carpet spots.
Unfortunately, the residue that soap-based products leave behind actually ends up collecting more dirt over time! Areas cleaned with soap will inevitably attract new dirt and soil at a much faster rate than the surrounding carpet – which makes it look like the spot is coming back! In reality, it’s a new spot created by soap residue. Gross!
Why does cleaning carpet with soap end up attracting more dirt? Not to get too technical, but soap is made up of molecules that are both hydrophobic (attracts oils) and hydrophilic (attracts water). Having these seemingly opposite molecules is why soap mixes so well with both oil and water, making it very easy to draw up soil (and other substances) from your carpet. Unfortunately, its oil-attracting properties means any leftover residue is going to continue to attract oil, dirt, grease, and other particulate – meaning it gets dirtier faster in that area. Not cool, over-the-counter carpet cleaner!

The Solution: Don’t use over-the-counter carpet cleaning products! They almost always cause more problems down the line. Instead, check out our handy stain solution guide for common household spots. All natural beats all chemical any day!

2: Wickback Effect: Spots Deep in Padding

The Problem: Another common reason for reappearing carpet spots is what we call the wickback effect. We see this a lot in spots with a LOT of substance – large liquid spills and large dog pet spots especially. What happens is that the liquid will soak through the fibers, through the jute backing, and into the padding beneath the carpet.
Since carpet padding is so absorbent, the spot that you can see on the surface of the carpet, much like an iceberg, may be several times larger down in the padding. After a cleaning, as the carpet dries, it wicks up the spot liquid from the saturated padding into the dry carpet, drawing up the substance and making the spot reappear on the surface (sometimes even larger than the original spot!).

The Solution: Prevention! Blot up large liquid spills as soon as possible before they have a chance to soak into the padding. 3M Scotchgard is a fantastic way to help your carpet fibers repel liquid and give you more time to clean up after a spill. If the spill already happened and the pad is saturated: Have a professional deal with it! A truck-mounted hot water extraction machine and an expert Modtech have the power and knowledge to deal with deep-down spots!  

3: Fido’s Got a Favorite Area

The Problem: One of the most obvious reasons a carpet spot keeps reappearing is also one of the most frustrating: your pet has chosen a particular area in which to “do its business”. Even though you clean up the mess each and every time (and you can’t see it anymore), your pet continues to go back to the same area. Not fun!

The Solution: The problem is smell. The odor remains, leading Fido to go in the same area time and time again. You need to get rid of the smell! Fortunately, we have a variety of pet-specific odor neutralizers that will dissuade pets from using the same area – and leave your home smelling great again.

Modernistic has been permanently removing carpet spots in Michigan since 1973! When it comes to problem spots you just can’t seem to get rid of, trust the carpet cleaning experts! Call or click today.


Simple & Quick Ways To Make Your Carpet Last As Long As Possible

Posted Wednesday, February 20th, 2019

make carpet last as long as possibleYou just got your carpets cleaned. They look great now but with kids, pets, and life in general you’re concerned they won’t stay that way. After all, flooring is one of your home’s biggest investments. It’s only natural to ask yourself what you can do between professional cleanings to make sure your carpet lasts as long as possible. Luckily, there are a few Simple & Quick steps you can take to make sure you get the most out of your investment!

There are some very easy things you can do to help prolong the life of your carpeting. The first thing is 3M Scotchgard! This is a protectant that can be applied by the professional cleaners right after they clean, and it’s something we recommend for all our customers who want their carpet to last. 3M Scotchgard will help repel liquids (which gives you longer to get it out before the spill sets into the fibers) and also help repel dry soil (which will help prevent wear damage). Many carpet manufacturers actually require protectant after cleanings in order to keep the warranty up to date!

While it’s impossible to keep all the dirt off your carpet there are things you can do every day. Having everyone take their shoes off when they enter your home is a huge step to reduce the influx dirt and wear of your carpet fibers. Have a plastic mat for everyone to set their shoes in. If that isn’t an option, an entry rug right by the entryway will help make sure you and your family aren’t tracking in soil from the outside world.

Another important way to keep your carpet looking fresh is frequent vacuuming. Carpet can hold much more than its own weight in dirt that isn’t visible to the naked eye, and vacuuming is a great way to remove it. There’s no such thing as vacuuming too often! The more you do it the cleaner your carpeting will be – and the longer it will last.

There are also things that can be done every few years to prolong the life of your carpeting. One of them is to get your air ducts cleaned. Your ducts push air all throughout your home, and if they aren’t clean, they are pushing all the dust, soil, debris, and allergens they collect into your home’s indoor air – and eventually, down into your carpeting. Over time, this can create filtration lines – visible lines of worn in dirt along the edges of your walls or under doorways. These lines show where the soil in your home’s air settles into your carpeting. Getting your air ducts cleaned will not only help keep the dirt and dust out of your carpet, it will keep the dirt and dust out of your entire home!

Another way to get the most out of your carpet between cleanings is to rearrange the furniture in high traffic rooms like your living room. No matter how clean your home is eventually your carpet fibers will begin to wear from use. Moving where the chairs and sofas sit will change where the wear is most prevalent.

It’s is a significant home investment, and we all want to make sure our carpet lasts as long as possible. With these easy steps, you can keep your carpet looking great in between professional Modcleans!

Modernistic has been extending the life of Michigan carpets since 1973. Call or click today to see how we can help you protect your flooring investment!


Indoor Games Your Kids Will Love

Posted Friday, February 15th, 2019

We are all looking for some time away from screens. But when our Michigan weather is cold, snowy, wet, or otherwise inclement, it can be tough to find fun things for kids to do; you can only play in the snow for so long before everyone gets too cold! With all the snow days our kids have had recently, it can be tough to find activities to keep them entertained for a full day. Pry the tablets and phones away from your kids (or grandkids) and spend some quality time playing these fun indoor games and activities!

Paper Airplane Race

Use copy paper to fold paper airplanes. Compete to see who can fly their plane the farthest, or give the best air show of loops and twists. You can use tape, paperclips, or other supplies to make your planes more complex. Or, you can use markers and stickers to make them more beautiful!

Plastic Bowling

Use a tennis ball and empty pop bottles to turn your living room or hallway into a bowling alley. You could even decorate one of the pins with markers and give it away as a prize like at a real bowling tournament. Or, when you are finished playing, you could visit the bottle and can return and give the money to the winner!

Wax Paper Skating

Wrap wax paper around the children’s feet and secure with tape or rubber bands. On a hard surface floor, like in the kitchen, tape off a clear area for the “ice rink.” Each child takes turns as figure skater or judge, and performs to music of their choice or scores 1-10, just like at the Olympics.

Animal Charades

Silently act out an animal while others guess. Depending on the ages playing, you can write the animals down or use small pictures. Each player takes turn drawing an animal from the hat and acting it out. For variation, you can use animal sounds instead of silent actions.

Pen and Paper Games

Simple pen and paper games like tic tac toe, hangman, dots and boxes are easy to put together. A homemade version of Scattergories (sometimes called Categories or Alphabet) is simple enough. Take turns picking the category (movies, animals, names, etc.) and write down a word for each letter of the alphabet. Points are given for unique answers. Pictionary takes charades and puts it down on paper (or dry erase board). Connect four can easily be played with paper and pen simply draw a 10×10 grid and take turns drawing Xs and Os. Up to you if you want gravity to apply like in the store-bought version!

Clean Like a Modtech

Grab a toy vacuum or a corn popper push toy and pretend to clean the carpet, just like a Modtech! Have your kids start at one end of the room and work toward the other end, “cleaning” the entire carpet as they go. You can show them or let them figure out the most efficient ways to cover every square inch with their cleaning instrument of choice (of course, it helps if they’ve seen a professional Modcleaning in action!). You can make it a game: whoever finishes their entire room first gets the prize!

Hopefully, with these games in mind, you can find hours of fun with the kids in your home. These games and activities may be old fashioned, but they never go out of style.

Even during the coldest winter weather, Modernistic has been keeping Michigan homes clean and ready to play in since 1973! Call or click today to have an expert Modtech take care of your indoor activity area.


Simple & Quick Ways To Treat The Most Common Carpet Stains

Posted Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019

Life happens! No matter the preventative measure put in place, stains can happen too. We know you don’t always have the time to schedule a professional cleaning to deal with unexpected spots, so we decided to put together a simple guide to help you deal with the most common carpet stains. With this guide you can manage these stains until you get a chance to schedule a cleaning with a professional carpet cleaner.

Important Note: This is only a guide! There is no guaranteed DIY method to remove all carpet stains, since there are many other variables that determine whether or not it will come out. You should always consult a professional before attempting to treat any stain at home!

Red Wine or Coffee

With a red wine spill or a coffee spill, you will want to address the mess sooner rather than later. The longer it sits the harder it will be to remove the stain! You will want to first blot up the excess liquid. Use either white terry cloth towels or paper towels.

Now this is very important: Blot, don’t rub! The action of blotting picks up excess liquid, so it will not saturate the carpet fibers or pad further. If you rub the area, the liquid will spread and get worked into the fibers, and the stain will be much harder to remove.

Once you have blotted up the excess liquid you will want to get at least 2 fresh clean towels to work with and mix a bowl of cleaning solution. The cleaning solution will be 1 part sugar free club soda and 1 part cold water, mix it well!

Dab the solution onto the stained area to saturate the stained area with the cleaning solution. Then, using the dry towel, you will blot the stained area to lift up the cleaning solution. Repeat this process until you begin to see color on the towels you are blotting with. That means the stain is lifting off or the carpet.

Continue the process of dabbing on the cleaning solution and blotting it up with a clean dry towel until you begin to see the color of the stain fade. It may take some time to see the color transfer, but do not give up! And remember, do not rub or the stain will get worse!

Muddy Footprints

When dealing with muddy footprints on carpet you will have to do something that feels very unnatural….you will have to walk away and leave them alone to fully dry. Trying to clean the stained area before allowing the dirt to dry up and removing it will only exacerbate the problem.

So, it may feel weird, it may be uncomfortable, it may go against all of your instincts to do so, but you will leave the muddy footprints alone until they fully dry.

Once the footprints have dried try to remove as many large clumps of dirt as possible. Just pick them up with your hands and throw them out. Once you have removed all the larger chunks use the vacuum to pick up the rest of the dried dirt.

With all the dry dirt and soil removed you will have a much clearer view of the stains you are dealing with. Grab a good amount of towels, either white terry cloth or paper, and mix your cleaning solution of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part cold water.

Saturate one towel with this solution and dab it onto the footprint stain, then, using a dry towel, try to blot up the cleaning solution you applied. Continue this process of dabbing on the solution and blotting it up until you begin to see the dirt lift from the carpet fibers onto the towel you are blotting with. You may have to repeat this several times per footprint for the dirt to begin to lift. Remember: Do not rub! Only blot!

Blood

With any type of blood spot you will want to treat the stain ASAP to reduce the chance of the stain. Dab up as much material as you can. Then make a mixture of sugar free club soda and cold water.

The water must not be hot or warm, since blood coagulates if it warms and will stick to the fibers even more than before. Cold water is necessary to loosen the material and the stain is much more likely to release if you use cold water.

As with the previous stains, you will dab on the cleaning mixture with one towel, then blot it up with another clean and dry towel. Repeat this process until the blood spot begins to lift from the carpet and onto the towel. Remember to take your time and to blot, not rub!!

Pet Stains

With pet stains odor is usually a factor. The best solution for dealing with pet stains is a 1 parts vinegar to 3 part water solution because the vinegar helps reduce any odors. It also helps release color, which is usually present in pet stains.

Just like with the other stains above, you will first want to remove by hand or blot up as much material as possible. Once as much loose material as possible is removed begin to dab the cleaning solution onto the area to saturate the affected fibers, then use a clean and dry towel to blot up the solution.

Repeat this process until the color begins to transfer from the carpet to the towel. As you repeat the process the strength of the odor should be reducing as well. Continue until the color has lifted.

Now, there are still some spots or stains that will require a professional cleaning to truly remove, but these solutions will help you out in between Modernistic appointments. Maintaining your carpet with regular professional cleanings can really help protect your investment. If you have a household that has a lot of foot traffic, children, or pets you may want to ask your Modtechs about 3M Scotchgard protection.

3m Scotchgard creates a protective layer between your carpet and the world that is trying to stain it! When you have 3M Scotchgard applied, liquids will bead up on the surface of the fibers of your carpet and you’ll have time to blot up a spill before it saturates the carpet. Even if a stain does manage to work its way into the fibers, carpet with 3M Scotchgard protection has a higher likelihood of releasing stains during your next cleaning.

Now there are still some spots or stains that will require a truck-mounted hot water extraction system to truly remove, but these Simple & Quick ways to treat the most common carpet stains will help you out in between Modernistic cleanings!

Modernistic has been cleaning up stains throughout Michigan since 1973, and you can trust we’ll get the job done right! Call or click today for help with your most stubborn carpet spots.


Hear It From Our Customers!

Posted Friday, December 7th, 2018

Customer FeedbackThroughout the past 45 years at Modernistic, two things have never changed: Our love for each and every customer, and our customers’ love for Modernistic. Part of the reason we’ve been around as long as we have (since 1973!) is because of the amazing customer feedback we get regularly.
Customer feedback has been the backbone of our business for years. Because making sure our customers are happy doesn’t just make us feel fuzzy inside, it helps us inform our business and the kind of service you expect and deserve. In fact, we love our customer feedback and testimonials so much, that we are dedicating this entire post to that group of loyal, vocal customers!

We Are There For Your Pet-uations

Modernistic loves pets, and we know you do too. Unfortunately, as any pet owner knows, sometimes that love comes at the cost of our carpet and upholstery. Luckily, we have a long history of keeping all of your furry friends out of the doghouse with our pet-friendly Simple & Quick carpet cleaning:

When You’re Knee Deep in Water

One of the most frightening things a homeowner can experience is water damage. Any time a pipe breaks, heavy rains leak into your home, or an appliance fails in your home, you can feel completely helpless. A mark of pride for Modernistic is how quickly and efficiently we can restore your home after water damage occurs. Don’t take it from us, take it from someone we’ve helped turn a sewage situation from dire to delighted:

From Scheduling To Ringing The Doorbell

The entire customer experience – from browsing our site, asking questions, scheduling your appointment, to the actual cleaning – is something we are always improving and fine-tuning. If you can schedule your cleaning Simple & Quick from our website and then be treated to A+ service from our technicians, then we’ve done our job:

Tell Us Your Story

We would love to hear from you about your great experience with Modernistic too! Drop by our Facebook Page to say hi and let us know how Modernistic has made your home better – We can’t wait to hear from you!

Modernistic has been delighting customers since 1973 with Simple & Quick carpet, upholstery, tile, hardwood, area rug, air duct, and dryer vent cleaning, as well as expert Flood, Fire, Mold, and Storm damage recovery. Click or call us today!


The Best Way To Protect Carpet From Stains

Posted Tuesday, November 20th, 2018

best way to protect carpet from stains and spillsI’m going to make a bold, controversial statement:

At Modernistic, we like clean carpet.

That’s right, I said it. Go ahead and take a moment to absorb that declaration… Good. Now that it’s had some time to sink in, let me explain.

We don’t clean carpet because of the fabulous riches that come with being a cleaning company. We clean carpet (and upholstery, and air ducts, and tile) because it’s the best way we know how to bring delight to our customers. Having a clean home makes people happy, and keeping a clean home helps keep people happy for longer. You know what doesn’t make people happy? Spots and stains. Especially spots and stains that appear on carpet and upholstery that previously didn’t have spots and stains!

Since we’ve been in the business of keeping our customers happy since 1973, we’ve learned that the best way to protect carpet from stains is applying 3M Scotchgard protection after every professional cleaning.

What Does 3M Scotchgard Do?

3M Scotchgard protection creates a barrier on your carpet and upholstery, helping prevent liquid and soil from absorbing into the fibers. It’s an odorless, invisible application that makes spills and dirt bead up at the surface of your fabric, making it simple and quick to clean up messes.

What Does 3M Scotchgard Smell Like?

Absolutely nothing! Scotchgard is designed to be odorless, so nothing gets in the way of that “freshly-cleaned” smell.

Ok, Then What Does It Feel Like?

Again, absolutely nothing. 3M Scotchgard won’t affect the texture of your carpet or upholstery in any way (save being slightly damp when first applied). Once it dries along with your freshly-cleaned carpet, you won’t even know it’s there – until you spill something on it!

So How Do I Know It’s Working?

3M Scotchgard will make liquid bead up on the surface of the fibers, giving you more time to clean up after a spill. Also, vacuuming will remove much more dirt and soil than before, making your regular cleaning chore much easier!

How Long Does It Last?

How long 3M Scotchgard will last on your carpet or upholstery depends on a few factors – like foot traffic, usage, and cleaning schedule – but a good rule of thumb is that you should get it cleaned and reapplied every 6 months for optimal protection.

The best thing about 3M Scotchgard is what it does for the longevity of your carpet. When you compare the cost of applying protectant vs the cost of replacing your carpeting sooner than you have to.. Well, let’s just say you’re saving PLENTY of money going with Scotchgard! So the next time you get your carpets or upholstery professionally cleaned, make sure you ask about the best way to protect carpet from stains – 3M Scotchgard!

Modernistic has been protecting Michigan carpets since 1973. If you’d like to learn more about how you can protect your home, click or call today!


How To Get Pet Hair Out Of Carpet And Upholstery

Posted Thursday, November 15th, 2018

At Modernistic, we love our pets! And we know that many of our customers love their pets too! But it can be frustrating trying to keep up with all of the pet fur that get caught in upholstery and carpet. If your pets are anything like ours, you may feel like you need Modernistic to clean your carpet weekly to keep up with all the shedding! Fortunately, there are a few Simple and Quick ways to get pet hair out of carpet and upholstery that you can do at home.  

With tightly woven fabrics and short fur, a light spray of water and fabric softener and loosed up pet fur. A cloth or paper towel can lift much of it right up. A slightly dampened sponge can also be used to lightly pick up fur. May people like to use lint rollers, just like they use on their clothes. We know many pet owners already keep lint rollers on hand, which makes them the perfect tool to keep up with the fur. Alternatively, you can wrap duct tape or packing tape around your hand and use it to lightly lift any fur just like a lint roller.

If the fur is still stubbornly sticking to the upholstery fabric, a rubber glove might help. Dampen a rubber glove with water and simply run your hand over the surface. Repeat until the hair is removed. For carpeting, some people will use a rubber soled shoe in place of the glove method. But the rubber should only be needed for extra stubborn fur. The best way to get fur out of carpet is to keep up with it by vacuuming regularly, and going over those furry areas in alternating directions. Remember to regularly vacuum your upholstery as well!

Gadgets! There are rubber gadgets that work on the same principle as the rubber glove method that work great at getting fur out of upholstery and carpets. Some are small, handheld or glove shaped, and others are large brooms. There are also pet hair removal gadgets that look like paddles covered in fabric. These tools use static electricity to their advantage, and come with a self cleaning base. They work a lot like a lint roller, without the waste caused by disposable adhesive sheets.

Cleaning up pet hair can seem like a lot of work, but the secret is keeping up with it regularly with these Simple & Quick ways to get pet hair out of carpet and upholstery. A little bit of cleanup here and there every day will help get rid of all the unsightly shedding!

Modernistic has been cleaning up after pets since 1973. If you need a hand cleaning up after your furry friend, then trust the cleaning experts and give us a click or call!


The Different Levels of Carpet Deodorization

Posted Wednesday, October 31st, 2018

different levels of carpet deodorization smelly odorPet accidents, food spills, dirty feet, you name it; there are a multitude of bad odors that can leave your carpet smelling less than pleasant. Regular vacuuming sometimes isn’t enough to keep the odors at bay, and there comes a time in every carpet’s life that requires some odor intervention! Luckily, there are many different levels of carpet deodorization available to handle all your smelly carpet needs.

Level 1: On The Surface

The most basic deodorizing option is topical. This is when a carpet cleaning technician applies a spray on deodorizer post-cleaning. These commercial products, in addition to smelling nice, actually break down odor-causing molecules. This works great for odors that weren’t caused by a large amount of liquid.

Level 2: Deep Down

The next level of deodorization is submersion. This is ideal for carpeting when you know the issue is coming from a specific spot (ex: a pet continues to use the restroom in same area). The technician will essentially flood the area with the deodorizer and then extract it back out. This allows the cleaning technician to pull the odor out from the padding underneath the carpet. In tandem with this is the injection method of deodorizer for upholstery. The technician will inject deodorizer right into the affected area of the furniture and then pull it back out with their cleaning tool.

Level 3: Source Removal

If the odor issues in your home have gone into the pad but aren’t contained to just one or a few areas, it might be the time to consider pad replacement. A flooring technician can pull the carpeting back, replace the pad underneath with brand new padding, and then lay the carpeting back down. Finally give the carpet a professional cleaning and the room can be good as new!

When you are replacing the pad, upon removal inspect the floor underneath. If the moisture was prevalent enough it could have damaged the flooring itself. This can cause further odor issues and weaken the flooring. If this is the case this would be the best time to replace the flooring.

Level 4: It’s In The Air

The treatments listed above work great for odors that are on your carpet or upholstery but what about if the smell is coming from the entire room? Removing the smell of smoke from a fire or decades of smoking is an example where cleaning the carpeting might not be enough. There are two more treatments that Modernistic offers to help in these more serious circumstances, the first of which is fogging. This is a machine that would be set up in the affected area that continuously spreads the deodorizer throughout the room, making sure every surface in the room is reached. This type of odor intervention is almost always overkill for odors found only in the carpeting.

Level 5: Let’s Get Molecular

If even this isn’t enough it might be time to literally change the molecules in the air. Setting up an ozone machine is the most drastic odor intervention available, and is by far the most dangerous. An ozone machine removes the odor from the air by electrifying the oxygen molecules to add another carbon molecule. Due to this process no one can be in the area for the 24-48 hours that the machine needs to run. Ozone is usually reserved for the worst and hardest-to-remove odors, like smoke and cigarette smells.

The Professional Touch

Discovering how severe the odor in your home is key to deciding what step of deodorization is needed, and the cleaning professionals at Modernistic would be glad to evaluate the issues for you. No matter what kind (or severity) of odor you have, you have options on how to get rid of unwanted carpet smells. Rather than replacing an entire room of carpet just because of a pesky carpet odor, trust Modernistic and the different levels of carpet deodorization we offer. We know you’ll love the outcome!


How To Get Slime Out Of Carpet – The Simple & Quick Way

Posted Wednesday, October 3rd, 2018

how to get slime out of carpet the simple & quick way

I dropped slime on my carpet – and my kid saw the whole thing.

It happened right in the middle of our living room. We were making homemade slime, everybody’s favorite non-Newtonian fluid, and right after I asked my son to avoid making a mess, I knocked the bowl off the table and directly onto the living room floor.

Egg on my face and slime in my carpet!

Naturally, my kid thought this was poetic justice incarnate – and the funniest thing he’s ever seen. As he was laughing, however, I was dialing the phone. I had a very pressing need to find out how to get slime out of carpet, and I knew exactly who could help.

You see, I happen to work for the best carpet cleaning company in Michigan, and I happen to know the foremost authority on carpet spots and stains: Tom!   

Tom’s (Not So Secret) Formula

Over the phone, our resident carpet chemistry expert Tom put all 30+ years of his exhaustive cleaning knowledge to use and told me exactly how to get slime out of carpet with some simple household cleaning products:

What You Need:

  • Plastic putty knife (or old credit card)
  • Household vacuum cleaner
  • White vinegar
  • All-natural citrus cleaner
  • Hot water
  • Spray bottle
  • Clean white towels (or paper towels)

Steps to Remove Slime From Carpet

1. Scrape off as much slime as possible
Using a putty knife (or, in a pinch, an old credit card works great too), scrape up as much of the slime from the carpet. There will most likely be lots of it left in the fibers

2. Vacuum the area
Get your vacuum out and vacuum up as much of the surrounding area as possible.

3. Mix up your white vinegar solution
In a spray bottle, combine 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water.

4. Apply white vinegar solution to slime
Spray your white vinegar solution on the slime and allow it to soak into the carpet fibers.

5. Blot
Using clean white towels or paper towels, blot (don’t rub!) the slime until it’s completely removed from the carpet. Repeat steps 4 and 5 if necessary!

6. Apply citrus cleaner
If there’s a stain left after all the slime is removed, apply your citrus cleaner and allow it to soak into the area.

7. Rinse
Rinse the spot with a small amount of hot water, but don’t saturate the carpet!

8. More blotting
With your clean white/paper towels, blot until the stain is gone and the area is dry. Again, repeat the last two steps if necessary!

9. Call Modernistic!
If following the above steps fail to remove the slime stain, then it’s time to call in the experts who know exactly how to get slime out of carpet with state-of-the-art equipment – you’ve done all you can do by yourself, now let the professionals take care of your carpet problem. We’ve dealt with all kinds of carpet stains, and our 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee means you can be confident you’re getting the best possible carpet cleaning.

I’ll admit, slime is super fun. After we took care of the slimed carpet (I had my son do the blotting), we mixed up a new batch and stretched, poked, squeezed, and prodded to our hearts’ content – in the kitchen this time, over some easy-to-clean tile.

Modernistic has been cleaning up the messes Michigan kids have made for the last 45+ years! Call or click today if you’ve had a slime (or any other type of carpet) catastrophe.   


How To Get The Most Out Of Your Carpet Cleaning

Posted Wednesday, September 26th, 2018

get the most out of your carpet cleaningYou’ve just gotten off the phone or website after scheduling a professional carpet cleaning company to come out and clean your home. Maybe they’re coming out to work on a few specific stains you’re worried about. Maybe they’re coming to clean your entire home as part of your spring cleaning plan. Either way here are a few tips to get the most out of your carpet cleaning.

Prior to the cleaning crew arriving, there are a few things you can do for your home. Carpet cleaning companies should move any furniture like tables and chairs to clean underneath so moving any breakable items, such as lamps or picture frames, to other rooms can help the technicians safely move your furniture around.

If you have any pets in your home that shed a lot, vacuuming prior to the carpet tech’s arrival can help remove the surface layer, allowing the cleaners to get the hair that is more deeply woven into the fibers. The same applies if they’re coming to clean your upholstery that your pet sits on.

If you are concerned about any particular areas, make sure to let the technicians know when they arrive to your home. What was spilled, when it happened, and what you did to try to get the stain up are all important factors in what methods and products they use to clean those areas. Any information you have will help them choose the right way to get your carpet looking new again.

Getting on a semi-annual or annual maintenance schedule is a great way to really maximize the life of your carpeting. Regular cleanings can remove the buildup of dirt that gathers before it causes wear and damage to the carpet fibers themselves. Have the technicians apply 3M Scotchgard protectant after the cleaning. It acts as a barrier for your carpeting, making it harder for stains and dirt to permanently set in.

Modernistic has been helping our customers get the most out of our services for over 45 years! Click or Call to see how we can help your home stay its cleanest!