Freshly fragranced carpets may appeal to your nose but have a damaging effect on carpet fibers.

Mark Violand Senior Carpet Inspector and Instructor with 40 years in the carpet industry recently wrote an article “Smells Sell – But at the Cost of Carpet Health.”

Violand says these products are typically used to reduce or cover up pet odors and leave a fresh smelling home, but they can leave a highly alkaline residue, cause fiber abrasion, breakdown carpet backing and even be instrumental in seams opening and carpet discoloration.

He says studies have shown that vacuuming only removes about 65% of a typical powdered deodorizer.  The rest continues to build up over time. Some users sprinkle the carpet at every vacuuming! Imagine the build-up over time! He adds these products are not just harmful to your carpet – they damage your vacuum too!

Baking soda, the most common ingredient is a water-soluble abrasive.  Another ingredient found in powdered deodorizers is calcium carbonate, dissolved rock. It comes from limestone and is a common ingredient in antacids.  As such it’s alarming to see people intentionally spreading abrasive soil – powdered rock – on carpet. It scratches carpet fibers, making it appear lighter in color in traffic lanes and causes fibers to lose their luster over time making them look unduly worn out. It can also cause grief when cleaning your carpet.  Since it is a water-soluble product it can result in a chalky residue on the carpet after drying.

Baking soda is a great and versatile green product, suitable for refreshing the inside of your refrigerator, but PLEASE, not for your carpet!

So what can I do to have a fresh smelling home? Violand says he purchases sachet packets found near the florist or laundry isle at the store and sprinkles it on a small area of carpet and then vacuums it up.  He also recommends potpourri or wax melts.  Avoid any thing like oil diffusers or sprays that would settle on the carpet and result in rapid re-soiling.

If those options don’t appeal to you, bake some cinnamon rolls or bread.  It may not too good for your waste-line but so much better for your carpet! 

And of course, you can always call Long’s to freshen up your home or business.  Our cleaning agents and deodorizer treatments are completely safe for your home, your pets, and the people you care about.

Your carpet may not look dirty, but below the surface there could be years of dirt, grime, pet dander, and so much more hiding out of sight.  With our Long’s specialized cleaning techniques we can get down deep where the soil and debris is hiding and remove much more!

At Long’s, you can be confident that we have the right solution for your needs.  Our IICRC Certified Technicians go to school, have hands-on training, and earn a degree in Carpet Cleaning. 

Depending on the type of carpet and degree of soiling, we use specialized preconditioners to treat the toughest spots and stains and then follow up with a thorough cleaning to remove the soil and excess moisture.  As a result, you Get the Most Thorough Cleaning possible!  

At Long’s, we’re not happy until you are, and that is why we were voted #1 in the Ohio Valley!  You can’t go wrong with Long’s!

Two Ways Your “Freeze Free” Outdoor Faucet May Flood Your Home TODAY!
And I do mean TODAY! The first time you use your outdoor faucet is the most dangerous time! Why?

The Freeze Free Faucet is a wonderful invention, BUT…

1. If you left your hose on it over the winter OR
2. If it was not installed with a slight tilt toward the outside of the house…you may be in for a frustrating surprise the first time using the outside “Frost Free Faucet.”  And Flooding Can Occur!  We have seen this numerous times…Take precautions now!

The faucet is designed with a long shaft inside a piece of tubing, and the faucet valve is actually safe and warm inside your house, so even in winter you can use it without freeze ups. The problem is, if water lays in the tube, it could freeze, expand and split. Now, you won’t know it until you (or your carpet cleaner) puts a hose on, turns on the valve, and pressurizes it. Now the split in the tubing will spray into your living area in the basement or wherever the plumbing is mounted, and wow!

What a mess…And sadly, it is probably in an area you may not see until it is badly flooded!

How To Test Before Disaster Strikes:

1. If the hose is still on, turn it on, and fully pressurize the hose. Once it is pressurized, listen closely to hear if water is still running. As a further check, if you know where the faucet plumbing enters the house, go there and watch and listen.
2. Another quick way is purchase a plug or a “y” at the hardware store. Screw on the plug or attach the “y” with the valves closed and turn on the water and listen for water running. Again double check in the basement or where the water faucet plumbing enters the building for any leaks. The nice thing about the plug or “y” is you won’t have to wait until the hose pressurizes, and possibly be deceived by the sound of the hose.

If you discover the leak, great! Just turn the faucet off and the leak will probably stop. Then call the plumber or get your wrenches and change out that broken faucet!

We hope that helps you to avoid a costly and negative experience as you start enjoying spring weather!

What nasty stuff is hiding in your ductwork? And what is your family breathing every day?

Furnace Air Ducts can be littered with years of dirt, debris, and allergens like pollen, dust, pet dander, and even dead rodents. New construction can cause your vents to be filled with chunks of wood, sheet rock, sawdust, and even uneaten food or garbage swept into the open vents by the construction crew.

Check out this Before and After picture of actual work completed by our technicians! Give us a Call Today to Start Breathing Cleaner Air Tomorrow!