​While the flooring in a home is what many look at and judge cleanliness on, the same could be said for areas outside the home. Especially the driveway.

A nice, clean and neat driveway, swept free of dust and debris, is noticed by everyone. So is one that has ugly rust stains. Especially when moisture has spread rust stains down the drive.

If you have rust stains on your driveway, you might wonder… What causes them? Driveways are typically concrete or asphalt, neither of which should rust, right? Wrong!
Rust can develop from residues, such as those deposited on your driveway from your vehicle, from lawn care products and more. Also, the construction of your driveway, especially if concrete, contributes to rust stains. The rebar in the concrete can be close to the surface and rust can develop. There could be particles in asphalt that will rust as well.

No matter the cause, what you should be concerned with is prevention and, of course, removal of rust stains. Preventing them is difficult. Keeping everything clean is the first step, so rust doesn’t develop at all.

Steps to removal

For smaller rust stains, a little lemon juice or vinegar often does the trick. Apply when the affected areas are in the shade, or do it in the evening, because the sun will dry everything out too quickly. Work in the juice or vinegar with a brush. Rinse away any residues and reapply if you see some improvement.
If that doesn’t work, it’s time to get more aggressive. Visit your local hardware store and purchase a rust stain removal product and follow the directions. Be sure to note any precautions such as respiratory and contact issues.

And if that doesn’t work, it’s time to get really serious. At that same hardware store, you can purchase a stronger product, such as muriatic acid, and apply to the rust stains. But you must be very careful with strong acids as they can burn your skin and much worse. Also remember that stronger acids can damage the actual driveway material so be careful how you apply it and how long it dwells on the surface. Some have found that stronger acids negatively affect asphalt driveways.

Be careful!
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What’s best? Calling your cleaning pros, who know all about rust stains and how to remove them. Do the right thing. Give us a ring. 575-937-4385

​Bed Bug Myths Debunked

There’s virtually nothing more disconcerting than an infestation of the bed bug in homes… and in the past few years, bed bugs have been making a comeback.
 
Yet just because you find a bed bug (or several) in your home doesn’t mean you aren’t keeping things clean.
 
Contrary to popular opinion, bed bugs aren’t picky. If they get into your home, they are looking for one thing: Food. That means, unfortunately, you are on the menu. And when they take a bite out of you, the emotional impact can be severe.
 
Bed bugs can be hard to find. Besides the tell-tale bites and itchy reactions, you have to go hunting to find their nesting ground. This can be in folds of blankets on your bed, in dresser drawers and in electrical outlets, just to mention a few. Bed bugs are sneaking critters.
 
The good news is that when you travel, and you encounter what you think are bed bugs, it’s not automatic that they will ride home with you. As a precaution, keep your suitcase on a table and avoid putting clothes in dressers. If you are careful, you can keep those critters at bay.
 
And when you arrive home, if there are any concerns about bed bugs hijacking in your suitcase, put your clothes in the washing machine and then in the dryer. This should take care of the pests.
 
Of course, when in doubt, do what’s safe: Call a pest control expert!

How to Remove Blood Spots from Carpet and Furniture

Blood spots on your carpet or on your furniture… what a terrible thing. Hopefully when it happens, it’s not from a very serious accident.
 
But when it does happen, you must remove it quickly. Blood spots can be removed fairly easily if you get to it quick enough.
 
Of course, if there is a fair amount of blood, more than just a few spots, it’s best not to do anything except call a pro.
 
For a small amount of blood, though, you should be able to handle the task of removing the spot if you follow some simple, safe procedures.

1. Blot. When you have a fresh blood spot, get a white absorbent and disposable towel (like a paper towel without print on it) and blot up as much as you can. Never rub or scrub. That can damage the color and/or texture of the fabric, especially furniture fabric.
2. There is probably still a spot remaining, even with a lot of blotting. So take about a quart of luke-warm water in a bowl, and add a drop of dish soap to it. Just a drop, you don’t want to leave any sticky residue behind. Dip a fresh, white absorbent and disposable towel into the solution and carefully blot the blood again. What you are trying to do is use the detergent solution to release the blood from the fibers into the towel.
3. After that, if there is still some light blood staining remaining, use a fresh, white, absorbent and disposable towel to apply a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, the same strength you purchase at a drug store. But remember, hydrogen peroxide is a “bleach” and you must be careful with colors, especially on furniture fabrics. It’s best to test an area like on the back, bottom skirting to make sure the colors aren’t affected.

 
Phew! That’s a lot of work. And it might do the trick, but it might not. You could set the blood and it could become a difficult stain if you aren’t careful.
 
So if you don’t like to live dangerously and would rather play it safe… call your favorite carpet and furniture cleaning company. They know exactly what to do and they have the tools and cleaning solutions to do it right! 575-937-4385