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When we think about pollutants, we tend to think that the pollutants outside are worse than the ones we find inside. However, all pollutants are bad, even if they are found in your home. A lot of people wonder, “Is air quality better indoors?” Air quality is definitely better indoors than outdoors, but it still has its share of pollutants floating around in our air. While outside air is chock full of ozone pollution, carbon monoxide, lead, sulfur, and nitrogen dioxide, the inside of our homes aren’t any better. This is because we tend to drag in those pollutants from the outside, as well as use our share of chemicals that can pollute our indoor air. With that information, many ask, “Is indoor air pollution serious?” and the answer is yes.

We put a lot of effort into trying to fix our outdoor air quality, but we should also worry about our indoor air quality, as well. In order to find out whether or not you have bad indoor air quality, you will need to check your indoor air. So how do you check the quality of your indoor air? There are a couple of things you can do to check your air. If you are checking your indoor air on your own, you can use an air quality monitor. This monitor will be able to detect the quality of air in your house. But if you are wanting to get professional help, all you need to do is call someone to perform an air quality test in your home. It’s simple and you will be able to find out what you need to do in order to get better quality air in your home.

Indoor Air Quality Facts

In order to learn about the severity of indoor pollutants, it’s important to become familiar with indoor air quality and health facts. The EPA, as well as other agencies, have conducted a lot of research to educate the public on the dangers of indoor pollutants and how they can affect your health.

• The quality of your indoor air can be a lot worse than the air outside.
• The EPA has stated that indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental dangers.
• Bad indoor quality has been connected to people with allergies, heart problems, asthma, and lung cancer.
• Secondhand smoke is one of the worst indoor air pollutants.
• An increase in allergies and asthma in children has been associated with poor indoor air quality.
• Poor indoor air quality can affect any type of home, regardless if it’s in a rural town or city.

What Causes Poor Indoor Air Quality

Before we get into what causes homes to have poor quality air, it’s important to know what the most common factors that contribute to this problem. So, what are the 4 major indoor air pollutants? The biggest pollutants that you will have in your home are carbon monoxide, tobacco smoke, mold, and solvents. All of these contaminants and toxins can make it to where you have trouble breathing, you develop upper respiratory problems, and you start to have other sicknesses, as well. So while these are the top pollutants that can affect your indoor air, what exactly is the cause for poor indoor air. There are many issues that cause the quality of your air to be full of contaminants. Some of the most common reasons are poor ventilation, contaminated outdoor air being brought into your home, growing moisture due to leaks and humidity, bad air circulation, improper temperatures in the house, a construction like new residential roofing and remodeling in your neighborhood, and improper HVAC maintenance. All of these things can promote poor indoor air. 

How Can I Improve the Air Quality in My Older House?

If you are wanting to get rid of allergens or ensure you don’t develop any upper respiratory problems, the best thing you can do is improve your indoor air. It might be easier said than done, but there are easy ways in which you can improve your indoor air quality. Here is an indoor air quality checklist that gives you ideas on how you can improve the quality of air in your home.

• Change your HVAC filters.
• Buy an air purifier or a dehumidifier.
• You can air your home out by opening the windows after it rains or two hours after the sun goes down.
• You can remove pollutants by keeping plants in your home.
• Vacuum regularly in order to remove pollutants such as pet dander, dust, and pollen from your carpets and rugs.
• On top of vacuuming in your home, dust, sweep and do another cleaning that will get rid of unwanted pollutants.
• Instead of using aerosol cans, switch to sprays.
• To cut down on the VOCs in your home, start buying products that are fragrance-free.
• Make your own cleaning products.
• Wash and clean your upholstery and curtains regularly to get rid of pollutants hiding in the fabric.
• Get professional indoor air quality testing to see how polluted your air is.

If you want to take it a step further, you can invest in duct cleaning. Duct cleaning removes dust, pollen, and other debris that are in your vent lines. If you want duct cleaning in St. Peters, MO, please call Amazing Restorations at (636) 238-4702!

If you’ve ever wondered at the care of upholstery fabric, you’re not alone. Couches and other upholstered furniture almost seem to attract stains outright, and the removal of something like red wine, chocolate, or blood can give most people fits. While some stains or damage, including those created through a roof leak, smoke, or soot, will require the services of a professional upholstery care cleaner, you can still take care of minor stains yourself. What’s more, proper care of upholstery will actually make it resistant to stains.

Upholstery Care Guide

The most important thing to realize about upholstery care is that different fabrics have different requirements. These care characteristics represent valuable knowledge, as they can help you make an informed decision about a new piece of furniture, or the re-upholstering of an old. For any piece of upholstery, carefully read the care instructions to understand any requirements or relevant characteristics of the fabric. Regardless of the type of fabric that comprises your upholstery, you will naturally want it to appear attractive for as long as possible. If you have a household full of children and pets, this can represent a significant challenge, so it’s important to make your preservation attempts as successful as possible.

To begin, let’s consider some general rules:

• Avoid direct sunlight, as it will fade upholstery. Fading is irreversible damage.
• Keep paper towels handy to facilitate fast clean-up. You can stash them under cushions for easy access.
• For periodic refreshment and persistent stains, find a local, trusted upholstery care professional.

Vacuuming

Frequent vacuuming is one of the best ways to preserve the appearance of your upholstery. The absorption of dirt and dust provides the reason why upholstery begins to look old and tired. If you vacuum your furniture frequently, you can prevent this from ever occurring. To prevent damage, make sure to clip dangling threads before you begin. You will also want to make use of your vacuum’s attachments, including a crevice tool and soft brush.

Proper Use of Cleaners

Before you use any cleaner, read your upholstery’s care requirements. Some types of cleaners may actually stain certain fabrics. Once you’ve identified a proper cleaner, you will want to employ it for deep cleaning on an annual basis. Make sure you don’t use too much, and carefully remove all soap residue when you finish. If possible, use a product that incorporates soil retardant to prevent stains in the first place.

How to Manage Spills

Spills are a major threat to just about any upholstery. The first step to managing them is this: accept that spills are inevitable. If you try to prevent them through ironclad rules, you’ll only inhibit the comfort of your home. One trick to the proper care of any piece of upholstered furniture is to intentionally stain a small, out-of-sight area, then test various cleaning methods. Once a significant spill occurs, follow these steps for proper cleanup:

• Blot the spill immediately with paper towels. Blotting is important, as you should never rub at a spill.
• Do not use paper towels with colored designs. These can transfer onto your upholstery.
• If someone dumps food on your couch or chair, remove as much of the solid elements as possible. Use a spoon to collect smaller crumbs.
• For slipcovers, make sure to remove them prior to spot cleaning.

Pet Hair Removal

It’s okay to love your pet while disliking some of their habits. For example, some dogs seem to make it their life’s mission to get on the couch. Regardless of the stringency with which you try and enforce your rules, there’s a good chance your dog enjoys the occasional nap on the couch while you’re away. To remove pet hair, employ a clothing brush with a bristled head. You can also use a lint remover, or wrap a piece of tape around your hand.

Upholstery Care FAQ

How do you get stains out of a fabric couch?

First, vacuum the stained area, then check the fabric care instructions to learn what type of cleaner you can use. If you can use water, try employing a steamer. Next, carefully blot the stain with a clean, colorless rag or paper towel, and remember not to rub the fabric. If water is specifically disallowed, try using vinegar or vodka. If these efforts do not work, it’s time to employ a serious cleaner. To find a product that works for your upholstery, try a few different ones on small areas. If none of this accomplishes satisfactory results, start over from the beginning.

How can I clean my fabric sofa naturally?

For a natural upholstery cleaner, mix a quarter-cup of white vinegar with three-quarters cup warm water and a half tablespoon of dish soap.

How do you deep clean a fabric sofa?

There are many different strategies for deep cleaning a sofa. A simple, yet effective means is to mix a little carpet cleaner with baking soda, then sprinkle the mixture liberally over the fabric. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then vacuum it up. If any stains remain, you’ll need to go in for spot removal with the proper type of cleaner for your fabric.

What does Scotchgard™ do for couches? 

Scotchgard™, a product from 3M, is available in a spray form for easy application to upholstery. The product repels moisture and blocks the formation of stains for the easy clean-up of spills.

How long does Scotchgard™ last on upholstery?

Scotchgard™ provides dependable protection for six months before it needs re-application.

How do I keep my sofa smelling fresh? 

Due to its permeability, a fabric sofa can absorb odors. To deodorize your sofa and attain a clean, fresh scent, sprinkle it with baking soda. You can leave the baking soda on the couch for as little as 15 minutes, or overnight for particularly strong odors. When you’re finished, simply vacuum it up.

Contact Our Team for Upholstery Care

Amazing Restorations stands as the premier choice for upholstery care and sofa cleaning for St. Peters, MO. Our trusted team of restoration experts can reliably remove just about any stain or odor to have your upholstery looking and smelling its best. To learn more about who we are and what we offer, or to schedule service, give us a call today at (636) 238-4702.

Carpets see tons of traffic. From pets to children to bare feet, you carpet takes a beating. Then there’s the occasional spilled drink or pet bathroom accident. Then there are situations completely out of your control that can absolutely ruin a carpet, like flooding. If a water line bursts and floods your home, the water will soak into your carpet and result in mold growth. You can get these fixed with carpet steam cleaning and trenchless water line repair in Missouri. While a good old sponge and some manual labor will remove some of the dirt in the carpet, nothing will totally get out all the gunk like a good steam cleaning will. To set up a carpet steam cleaner appointment in St. Peters, MO with Amazing Restorations, call (636) 238-4702 today.

Why Steam Cleaning Is The Best Carpet Cleaning Method

• A lot of people just use a vacuum on a carpet and call it a day. Vacuums only clean the surface and the topmost layer of the inside of the carpet. With carpet steam cleaning, the heated vaporized water gets deep into the pores of the carpeting to lift dirt and grime.
• Just like how you use steam to iron out wrinkles and stains, the exact same method applies with a carpet steam cleaner!
• The heat of the steam is able to kill bugs like bed bugs, dust mites, mold, fungus, and other bacteria that have nestled and grown in your carpet.
• Steam cleaning kills up to 99% of germs where as vacuuming and hand cleaning doesn’t.

Invasive water from a roofing or plumbing leak can have disastrous consequences for your home. Serious water damage from a flood or major leak can cost thousands of dollars to repair. Even smaller leaks can render serious harm, especially if they persist unknown for any stretch of time. In addition to leak damage to your home, you may also deal with consequences to your health. The next time you suspect a water leak, make sure to call quickly for detection and repair.

The Effects of a Water Leak

Water leaks can have a broad impact on your home. Damage to your carpets, ceiling, or roof can be extensive, and require the services of a professional restoration service. To make leak repairs as inexpensive as possible, you must catch the trouble early. If you don’t, you will find yourself grappling with a heap of problems.

• Reduced Property Value: You’ll want to hire a restoration service after a major leak, as lingering signs such as water stains can drive down your property value.
• Mold and Fungi: Moisture causes mold spores to activate and proliferate around your home. This can lead to respiratory problems and a weakened immune system.
• Structural Damage: From water stains to warped drywall and support beams, leak damage can seriously compromise a home’s structural integrity.

The key to addressing water leaks quickly is to maintain awareness for their indicators. These could include everything from water stains, to ceiling drips, to a higher water bill. To stop damage from a plumbing leak, you’ll first need repair services from a professional plumber. If a water leak has left unsightly stains on your carpet, we offer professional cleaning services in St. Peters, MO.

For a solution to the aesthetic impact of a water leak in St. Peters, MO, contact the restoration experts at Amazing Restorations with a quick call to (636) 238-4702. We’re ready and able to restore the former beauty of your carpet and upholstery.

Carpet cleaning is a part of your routine if you have carpets in your home or commercial building. Every so often, you may look down at your carpets and think about how long it has been since you’ve had them cleaned. It is really up to you to decide when or when it isn’t time to have this service done, but we recommend at least once a year or so to keep your carpets clean and to expand the life of your carpet. If you have high traffic areas or have a commercial building that is constantly being walked on, you may want to increase the number of times you have them cleaned. Even if you don’t see stains in your carpet, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t dirty. Carpet is very good at hiding dirt and oils, especially if it is dark. If you have animals in your home, the likelihood that your carpets are dirtier than you think, are very high. We also recommend that if you have small children that crawl around on the carpet, that you have them cleaned to avoid dirt transfer onto your child and keep your home as clean as possible. Sometimes we come across carpets that have very stubborn stains that are hard to get out. We use dry cleaning technology to help get your carpets as clean as possible.

Dry Cleaning Option

When you have your carpets dry cleaned, it will allow for cleaner carpets and it drys much faster than other forms of carpet cleaning. We begin by hand scrubbing the major spots on your carpet to help loosen the dirt from deep within. After that is done, the dry cleaning technology we use, will work hard to get your carpet cleaner than before and without adding a ton of water. This means less dry times and cleaner carpets. We call that a win, win.

Contact a Quality Cleaning Company

Cleaning is a part of your life, but we want to make sure it is a difficult one. Having to leave your home while we get this done can be an inconvenience so we try to make it as easy as possible for you. When you need an amazing carpet restoration inSt. Peters, MO, call us at (636) 238-4702 and we can help you right away.