Cleaning tips

• 'Eco' products and their packaging
• Back to Basics
• Cleaning tips with vinegar
• Emergency Festive Cleaning Tips
• How do I clean ballpoint marks off a cotton-print dress?
• Natural Cleaning Tips
• There's a stale bloodstain on my wool-nylon, light-fawn carpet. What's the best way to remove it?

'Eco' products and their packaging
All cleaning products actively damage the environment to some extent. However, it is important to choose items and services which cause as little ecological harm as possible. Therefore the best way to go about using cleaning products whilst remaining as environmentally friendly as possible, is to be aware of harmful chemical compositions.Be wary of statements such as ‘biodegradable’ or ‘non-toxic’ on cleaning products, as these terms don’t have a fixed definition, and in most cases are actually false.Try to avoid cleaners which contain chlorine (ie; bleaches), phosphates and other dangerous chemical substances. These toxins enter the atmosphere and waterways, causing both environmental and wildlife destruction.
back to top

Back to Basics
Does the horror of cleaning your oven leave you in a cold sweat? We share some more trade secrets with you to ease your fears. It sits ominously in the kitchen, hiding within a mass of baked on grease and grime, you approach, gloved to the armpits, mask on not to mention the goggles.  You open the unsuspecting oven door - then wake up with the realisation that today is the day you said you would clean the oven! Sound familiar?  Let's start by looking at the exterior surfaces. If you remove food spills with a moist sponge every time you wipe down the work surfaces it will always save you time in the long run.  Perhaps granny was right, a stitch in time? To clean the interior of the oven, remove all the racks and grill pan, if they fit in your dishwasher brilliant, if not wash them by hand with a nylon bristle brush or non metallic scourer.  To loosen baked on deposits pour 100ml of full strength ammonia (take common sense precautions when handling, and always ensure good ventilation). Pour it into a glass bowl in a completely cold oven and leave overnight.  The next day open the door (and the kitchen window) to let the fumes dissipate, remove the bowl and wipe away loosened deposits with a damp sponge.  If this doesn't work you may need to resort to a commercial cleaner these can be very caustic so exercise caution when using.  Now you've done all this work how do you keep it clean?  Here's the lazy man's guide to cleaning your oven.  Get yourself a garden spray bottle and fill with warm water, adding three spoonfuls of baking soda - shake until this dissolves, then add another, repeat until the soda stops dissolving. Spray this solution on all sides of a cool oven, after ever use.  The solution will dry and the soda will dissolve the deposits and fall to the oven bottom.  You can carry on using your oven, albeit white - soda is completely safe, it's in lots of recipes! It's a good idea to put some kitchen foil on the bottom of the oven to catch any spilt food.  Wipe the residue out periodically with a damp cloth and change your foil. Follow this religiously and you'll never have to resort to gloves and masks again! We at Red Carpet know that all these hints and tips work - and work well.  How do we know? We use them at home! We try out every method, product and tip before we recommend them to you, the ones that work we pass on. The ones that don't - well that's back to the drawing board!
back to top

Cleaning tips with vinegar
To shine chrome sink fixtures that have a lime buildup, use a paste made of 2 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar. Make your own scouring cleanser by combining 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent. Add just enough white distilled vinegar to give it a thick but creamy texture. Clean counter tops and make them smell sweet again with a cloth soaked in undiluted white distilled vinegar.
back to top

Emergency Festive Cleaning Tips
During those days when friends, family and visitors arrive over Christmas and the New Year, little accidents may happen.... These tips should help in the short term, but please remember not to forget to call us if you are really stuck! Tip 1 Please remember of the shelf carpet cleaning products, (usually in a trigger spray bottle or foam) may contain bleach.  Therefore if you need to use them, rinse the treated area well with water.  Don't rub, just pat gently.   Tip 2 Don't panic!  Generally, marks and stains can be removed a few days after the event by a professional cleaning company. But, this does depend on what you've done to the offending mark or stain prior to us arriving!  The least possible action is preferrable: just pat the area with cool water to dilute the mark. Tip 3 A toilet or kitchen roll can work wonders if you get to the spillage quickly.  Press down gently with a hand or foot onto the fresh mark, soaking up the majority of the liquid. Tip 4 High percentage wool carpets need gentle cleaning.  Too much water or strong detergent can easily shrink or discolour. Call us for free advice and a free quotation if you are unsure about how to tackle a mark or stain. Good Luck!   
back to top

How do I clean ballpoint marks off a cotton-print dress?
Ballpoint ink is difficult to remove: you have to act quickly and, even then, success isn't guaranteed.   Try these last-resort tips to rescue the dress. Lightly dab with methylated spirit on a cotton bud.  Machine wash as normal. Rub with lemon juice and rinse well. Machine washing should eventually make the mark fade.  If the fabric can take it, wash at a high temperature, using a biological detergent. Or, have the dress dry cleaned. Good luck!
back to top

Natural Cleaning Tips
Why use chemicals, when vinegar, plain water and Bicarbonate of Soda can work just as effectively?  We show you how..... To clean with vinegar Mix equal parts of white vinegar with water in a trigger bottle to use as a window cleaner.  Newspaper is ideal to dry the glass leaving no smears and smudges! Bicarb is perfect for cleaning greasy, ground in dirt.  Simply sprinkle on area to be cleaned, leave to soak in, then wipe away with a damp cloth. The new genre of mico fibre cloths gives a non scratch abrasive clean without using chemicals.  Remember, any toxic product can potentially be absorbed into your skin or inhaled.        
back to top

There's a stale bloodstain on my wool-nylon, light-fawn carpet. What's the best way to remove it?
Hate to say it, but these can be hell to shift! You should really dab a bloodstain while it's still fresh with a white towel, then sponge with cold water (never use hot water as it could set the blood). Otherwise, try this home-made remedy.  Start by sponging the area with a solution of one teaspoon of gentle detergent for washing woollens to 300ml warm water.  Work inwards from the outside edge of the stain, using a little solution at a time, and blot frequently with a white towel or kitchen roll. Then do the same with an ammonia solution - one teaspoon of household ammonia (from hardware stores) to one cup of warm water. Blot dry.   Finally, spray the area with a solution of one-part clear vinegar to four parts water.  Blot (don't rub) to soak up excess moisture.  When dry, vacuum the carpet to restore the pile.  If this doesn't work, call us, the professionals.
back to top

more testimonials