Combat Allergies With a Clean Home

austin cleaning companies

Now that the spring season is here, allergens are coming back in full force, and the best way to fight back against allergies is by keeping your home clean. But are you cleaning your home in the best way to combat those allergy symptoms? Some cleaning methods may only make the allergies worse than they were in the unclean environment. Let’s talk about what to do and what not to do when you’re worried about allergies.

The Downsides of Chemical Cleaners

Store-bought chemical cleaners are perhaps the most widely used method of disinfecting surfaces in the home. But are they effective? Yes and no. Generally, chemical cleaners get the job done at disinfecting most of a surface, but they still don’t fully clean it, and worst of all, they could be aggravating allergy symptoms of people living in the home. Many of these chemical cleaners contain substances that are harsh on the lungs, particularly to people who already suffer from respiratory issues.

A Better Method: Steam Cleaning

If you’re looking for the allergy-safe choice, look no further than steam cleaners. Since steam cleaners use only heat and water to disinfect surfaces, they don’t have the potentially harmful side effects of chemical cleaners. They won’t aggravate any allergy symptoms, and they’re great at removing mold, bacteria, dirt and harmful viruses in a safe, healthy way. They can also remove dust mites and pet dander, further easing allergy symptoms. We can clean your rugs with expert rug cleaning professionals.

Fight Allergies With The Steam Team

So steam cleaners are great for ridding your home of anything that might aggravate allergy symptoms, but what’s even more effective than a steam cleaner is a high-powered steam cleaner in the hands of a Steam Team professional, who can also use other modern equipment and methods to rid your home of anything that might worsen allergies. For more information on how we can help clean your home and combat allergy symptoms, please visit The Steam Team website.

Best Advice For Marble Floor Care

Marble Refinishing Restoration & Cleaning

If you own a marble floor in your business or home, then you don’t need us to tell you that marble can be easily scratched and stained. It's a very sensitive material that requires the right methods of care and cleaning, but when treated properly, marble can look amazing! Here’s some advice on how to keep your marble looking that way.

What Not To Do With Marble Floors.

• Be sure to avoid using acidic chemical cleaners on marble surfaces, or common DIY 

• methods like lemon, vinegar or ammonia, since anything acidic could cause irreversible damage to your floors. Even small amounts of acidity might eat through marble over time.

• Avoid using a soaked mop to clean up spills. While spills can certainly do damage to the marble’s surface, a soaked mop may do even more damage. Instead, try to only use a slightly damp mop when cleaning spills.

• Try to avoid dragging heavy furniture or sharp objects across a marble floor, since they can easily cause scratches and other damage in the marble. Marble floors are beautiful, but not so much if they’re covered with scratch marks and chipped pieces.

Professional Polishing

Now that you know what to avoid, it's time to talk about the right way to clean and polish your marble floor when it's time to re-seal the flooring. If you want to go through with the polishing process on your own, you’ll need to get a polishing compound specifically designed for type of marble, a low-speed polisher and a marble sealant. Then you’ll have to work through the cleaning process. But if you don’t have the equipment and don’t know the process, there’s an easier way. The Steam Team offers a professional marble polishing service that will make your marble shine brighter than when you first got it! For more information, visit The Steam Team website.

Don't Forget To Clean These Commonly Overlooked Areas

Voted Best Cleaning Company

When you’re trying to clean your whole home all by yourself, it's no easy task. For many homeowners, they clean obvious and important parts of the home like the floors, walls, appliances etc., but quite often people will overlook areas of the home that are in desperate need of cleaning. Here at The Steam Team we have tons of experience in home cleaning, and here are the areas most homeowners overlook;

Air Vents

Cleaning certain areas of your home where dust builds up is important, it keeps the air you breathe clean. But are you making sure to also clean the source of that air? Dirty air vents can affect your everyday health, and unfortunately most people don’t clean them as often as they should. Next time you wonder why your cabinets are so dusty, check the vents.

Under Appliances

You most likely clean your appliances from time to time, but what about underneath those appliances? Dirt, dust, grime and food can build up in these areas, and you can’t avoid cleaning them forever! If you don’t want to pull out that refrigerator or washing machine and clean all around it, call The Steam Team and let us do it!

Drapes

Dust, dirt, pollen and even mold can accumulate on drapes left unchecked. Many drapes can’t be cleaned in the washing machine, and require special attention. So be sure you know what kind of clean your drapes need.

Baseboards

Cleaning baseboards is actually quite easy, but they’re commonly overlooked. They can easily collect dust and dirt over time. Cleaning them can be done with just a damp cloth or a wipe.

The Steam Team

If these areas are too difficult or too inconvenient for you to clean, keep in mind that The Steam Team technicians can do it all! So stop letting these areas of your home get dirtier by the day, give us a call. Visit The Steam Team website for more information for carpet cleaners and restoration .

Everything You Need To Know About Leather Cleaning And Conditioning

Cleaning Service Austin

Leather furniture is highly sought-after, but far too many homeowners buy leather items without realizing how to properly care for them, and sometimes end up overwhelmed by what’s required. To make things easier for you, here’s our expert advice on proper leather treatment.

Know Your Leather

Many people think all leather requires the same treatment, but that’s not true! It's very important to know what kind of leather you have before attempting to clean it.

Protected Leather- This makes up the majority of leather upholstery. Protected leather may also be labeled finished, semi-aniline, or pigmented leather. Protected leather, as the name suggests, is topped with a protective coating and is more durable than other leathers.

Unprotected Leather- Also called aniline, pure aniline, or unfinished leather, this leather has a more soft and luxurious feel. This type of leather is more sensitive to staining and is also more expensive than protected leather.

Cleaning and Conditioning

When cleaning unprotected leather, you may use a slightly dampened cloth with distilled water, a dry cloth and vacuum (make sure you’re using the small brush attachment), or an approved leather cleaner. The specific manufacturer may have their own instructions, so be sure to check that out. But no matter what the method is, clean very gently with unprotected leather, as it is much more susceptible to staining.

Protected leather can handle a lot more, but you should still be careful to not use certain products. Clean with a vacuum and damp cloth, but only use approved leather cleaners.

An approved leather conditioner should be applied every six to twelve months. To properly condition, add a small dollop of conditioner onto a small cloth and gently rub the conditioner all over the leather. This will keep your leather looking shiny and moisturized.

The Steam Team Method

You might be thinking all these steps are too much to deal with yourself, but that’s what we’re here for! The Steam Team can completely clean and condition your leather furniture for you. Feel free to call any time!

Combat Allergies With a Clean Home- Professional Cleaning and Restoration

Cleaning Service Austin, Texas

Now that the spring season is here, allergens are coming back in full force, and the best way to fight back against allergies is by keeping your home clean. But are you cleaning your home in the best way to combat those allergy symptoms? Some cleaning methods may only make the allergies worse than they were in the unclean environment. Let’s talk about what to do and what not to do when you’re worried about allergies.

The Downsides of Chemical Cleaners

Store-bought chemical cleaners are perhaps the most widely used method of disinfecting surfaces in the home. But are they effective? Yes and no. Generally, chemical cleaners get the job done at disinfecting most of a surface, but they still don’t fully clean it, and worst of all, they could be aggravating allergy symptoms of people living in the home. Many of these chemical cleaners contain substances that are harsh on the lungs, particularly to people who already suffer from respiratory issues.

A Better Method: Steam Cleaning

If you’re looking for the allergy-safe choice, look no further than steam cleaners. Since steam cleaners use only heat and water to disinfect surfaces, they don’t have the potentially harmful side effects of chemical cleaners. They won’t aggravate any allergy symptoms, and they’re great at removing mold, bacteria, dirt and harmful viruses in a safe, healthy way. They can also remove dust mites and pet dander, further easing allergy symptoms.

Fight Allergies With The Steam Team

So steam cleaners are great for ridding your home of anything that might aggravate allergy symptoms, but what’s even more effective than a steam cleaner is a high-powered steam cleaner in the hands of a Steam Team professional, who can also use other modern equipment and methods to rid your home of anything that might worsen allergies. For more information on how we can help clean your home and combat allergy symptoms, please visit The Steam Team website.

How To Properly Care for Your Leather Furniture

Carpet Cleaners Austin, Texas

Some people say you should avoid buying leather furniture because it requires too much maintenance, but that’s not necessarily the case. If you know how to care for leather furniture, it's rather easy.. Luckily for you, The Steam Team knows all about leather cleaning and conditioning, and we’ve compiled this short guide to help you take great care of your leather furniture.

How To Deal With Spills

The first thing you should be concerned with is avoiding spills, or if you do spill something on your leather furniture, wipe it off quickly. When wiping a spill on leather furniture, use a soft, dry cloth and allow the area to air dry. If you aren’t able to find a cloth quick enough for whatever the reason may be, simply spread the spill towards the edge of the furniture and brush it off. Though this may sound like you’re just spreading the stain around, you’ll actually eliminate the outline of the watermark, which is the most obvious sign of a stain.

Properly Conditioning

If your furniture is a piece of real leather, then it was once part of a living animal. Since that animal is no longer able to condition the leather with its natural body oils, the burden of conditioning the leather falls on you, and you’ll have to do it regularly to keep the leather in good condition. It should be about every 6 to 12 months. For specifics, contact the manufacturer of your specific piece of furniture.

Help from The Steam Team

We understand that you’re probably a very busy person, and not everyone has the time on their hands to clean and condition a piece of leather furniture on their own. That’s why we offer professional leather cleaning and conditioning services! For more information, please visit The Steam Team website for cleaning.

Professional Carpet Cleaning With Steam Team Technicians

For carpet cleaning in Austin, Texas call us at 512-451-8326 now.

Vacuuming is great and helps your carpet stay clean on the surface, but unfortunately, that only does a fraction of the job. Having your carpet steam cleaned and handled by professionals from time to time goes much further than your weekly vacuuming. And, if you’re looking for a company to do it, here’s some important information on our carpet cleaning service here at The Steam Team.

Carpet Cleaning Process

When our professional technicians arrive at your home or business, they’ll quickly inspect your carpet and recommend the proper cleaning method for your specific fabric. We’ll be able to provide the most complete carpet cleaning service around by going the extra mile to ensure that you’re completely satisfied with the job.

One thing that sets our service apart is that our professionals will spot-test their recommended cleaning method on a small area of the carpet first to make sure you’re happy with the results. If there’s a problem, another cleaning method will be used.

The final step to any of our carpet cleaning methods will be the application of a carpet protector. Applying this protectant will help your carpet look fresher, longer. 

Removing Stains and Odors

Another thing that sets The Steam Team apart is our safe, effective and highly powerful stain removal technology. No stain will last after our technicians have gotten to them! And not just stains either, we can also use the latest technology to safely and effectively rid your carpet of any unwanted odors plaguing your home.

If you’ve spent countless hours vacuuming the carpet in your home or business but its still filled with dirt, grime, irritating stains and unpleasant odors, stop wasting your time and give us a call. For more information on carpet cleaning and our many other services, visit The Steam Team website.

How To Deal With Plumbing Overflow: The Steam Team

Carpet cleaning in Austin, Texas

One of the most damaging things in homes and businesses today is plumbing overflow and the flooding it can cause. Here at The Steam Team, we want to help you fully understand the dangers of plumbing overflow, what steps you should take, and how we can help.

The Risks of Plumbing Overflow

Whether you have tile, carpet, or wood floors, you probably already know that water will damage your floors. But water can also damage the subfloor underneath your flooring if it isn’t cleaned up soon enough. With spills this is easy to do, but in the case of plumbing overflow you won’t be able to prevent the water damage, and the floor and subfloor may need to be removed. In cases where the plumbing overflow occurred on a second or third story, the water may leak through the floor and drip from the ceiling of the lower floor, causing further damage to whatever surface it lands on.

Having your home damaged is awful enough, but unchecked plumbing overflow can also cause serious health risks. If the floors are wet, keep that in mind and take all precautions so that you can try not to slip if you must walk on the wet floor. Also, be sure to stay away from any electrical outlets that may have gotten wet, as they might electrocute you.

Mold Growth

Unchecked plumbing overflow can also cause mold to grow in certain places. It can happen anywhere dark with just a little bit of moisture, and it can quickly become a health hazard for anyone in the home.

When it comes to mold growth, but also floor damage and the other jobs required when you have plumbing overflow in your home, The Steam Team can help you! Our professional technicians are trained to use high-powered technology and expert methods to fix all of your plumbing overflow problems. For more information on how we can help, please visit The Steam Team cleaning website.

Mold Remediation: How We Can Help

Carpet cleaning near Austin, Texas.

Although it may not seem like a major issue, one of the most serious health risks that homeowners face is mold. All it takes is one small, damp area left unchecked and without light for a couple days and mold can begin to grow and start causing health problems for anyone around. That’s why we’re here! We want to inform you on mold and how we can help eliminate it from your home or business.

What Makes Mold Harmful?

The damage to your health caused by mold can vary from person to person, but shouldn’t be taken lightly in any case. In environments with mold, many people experience nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, throat irritation, skin irritation and cough. People who have specific allergies to mold can experience much more severe symptoms. Those with pre-existing lung conditions can develop serious infections from being in an environment with mold- so, with all of this in mind, it’s clear to see that mold should be eliminated from any property as soon as it’s discovered.

The Steam Team Process To Eliminate Mold

As soon as you inform us of your mold problem, a team of skilled technicians will be on their way to fix it. To begin the remediation process, our technicians will fully examine the damage and determine the best course of action. Then they’ll extract any water and fully dry the area before containing the affected area to prevent the mold from spreading. Our technicians will then dispose of all affected materials and complete a full evaluation and treatment of your AC and HVAC systems. Then they’ll move on to mold disinfectant and finally, mold damage repair and restoration. By the time they’re finished, no mold or sign that there ever was mold will be anywhere on the property.

You can’t get the same level of service from just any company. The Steam Team offers a 24 hour response, 7 days a week for mold remediation and water damage restoration. (We also offer many more services including carpet cleaning!) For more information, visit The Steam Team website.

Carpet Cleaning 101: Benefits and Basics

We’re often raving about the benefits and versatility of carpet cleaning, but today, we want to take you back to the basics. If you haven’t yet steam cleaned any area around your home, then welcome! We’re excited to have you here with us. If you’re a long-time follower, today’s blog might just be a refresher, but a necessary (and fun) one at that! 

Safety with Steam Cleaning

When it comes to cleaning, chemicals are the main concern around the home. How can you effectively clean your home without using harsh chemicals? Carpet cleaning is absolutely, entirely safe for your children, pets, other family members, and the environment in general. It doesn’t involve the use of any chemicals at all. That means that no potentially harmful substances are used while we clean, and we won’t leave behind any residue!

Deep Cleaning with Steam

Finally, a clean that you can trust. You’ve seen the before and after pictures, right? Then you know that steam cleaning really gets at that grime and dirt. Nothing gets past a professional grade carpet cleaning machine! 

Killing Germs and Bacteria with Heat

Bring it on, springtime. Bring all of your germs and bacteria. Let us fight them away with our professional grade carpet cleaning machine! With high pressurized water and intense heat, we can take care of germs and bacteria in bathrooms, kitchens, entry ways- wherever! 

Eradicating Allergies

Having trouble this allergy season? We can’t blame you; Austin is the allergy capital of the nation! But before you throw in the towel and succumb to runny, stuffy noses forever- consider steam cleaning. It does wonders for eradicating allergens like dust, dander, and pollen! 

Saving Money

Last- but certainly not least- steam cleaning saves you money. You won’t need to purchase any cleaning supplies if you’re steam cleaning- since a steam cleaning machine won’t use them! You’ll love having that extra cash stowed away for a rainy day. 

Contact The Steam Team today if you’re in need of a serious cleaning. Or log online and view our list of services here! 

The Versatility of Carpet Cleaning

Whether you own a carpet cleaner or have had professionals steam clean your home before, you probably already know all about the versatility and benefits it offers. Here at The Steam Team, we’ve put together our favorite things about carpet cleaning, its versatility, and how it can improve your home (and your lives). Remember; a carpet cleaner is not just for carpet!

Steam Cleaning Ceramic Floors

As a matter of fact, if you are only using your carpet cleaner for your carpet then you’re not using this helpful machine to its full potential. Steam cleaners are actually one of the best things to use for cleaning a ceramic floor. The high pressure steam strips the floor of residue and chemicals left over by other household cleaning products. If you have any pets or children that spend a lot of time on the floor, it’s very important to keep these harmful chemicals off of your tile. To use a steam cleaner on ceramic floor, first do a thorough sweep of the floor to pick up all the larger pieces of dirt and debris. Then just add the water, place the microfiber cleaning cloth on the unit’s cleaner head, plug the machine in, and you’re ready to go!

Steam Cleaning Hardwood Floors

Using a carpet cleaner on a hardwood floor isn't quite as simple as it is with a ceramic floor. It depends very much on what kind of steam cleaner you get, as well as the condition of your floor. If you are going to steam clean your hardwood, make sure to only purchase a steam cleaner that is advertised to be used on hardwood or call in the professionals.

For more information on carpet cleaning and professional steam cleaning services, be sure to contact us, here at The Steam Team.

How The Steam Team Handles Carpet Cleaning

It is imperative to the well-being and appearance of your carpet to vacuum it regularly, but unfortunately, that only does a fraction of the job. Having your carpet steam cleaned and handled by professionals from time to time goes much further than your weekly vacuuming. And, if you’re looking for a company to do it, here’s some important information on our carpet cleaning service here at The Steam Team.

Carpet Cleaning Methods

When our professional technicians arrive at your home or business, they’ll inspect your carpet and recommend the proper cleaning method for your specific fabric. We’ll be able to provide the most complete carpet cleaning service around by going the extra mile to ensure that you’re completely satisfied with the job.

One thing that sets our service apart is that our professionals will spot-test their recommended cleaning method on a small area of the carpet first to make sure you’re happy with the results. If there’s a problem, another cleaning method will be used.

The final step to any of our carpet cleaning methods will be the application of a carpet protector. Applying this protectant will help your carpet look fresher, longer. 

Stain and Odor Removal

Another thing that sets The Steam Team apart is our safe, effective and highly powerful stain removal technology. No stain will last after our technicians have gotten to them! And not just stains either, we can also use the latest technology to safely and effectively rid your carpet of any unwanted odors plaguing your home.

If you’ve spent countless hours vacuuming the carpet in your home or business but its still filled with dirt, grime, irritating stains and unpleasant odors, stop wasting your time and give us a call. For more information on carpet cleaning and our many other services, visit The Steam Team website.

Do You Need to Rent Steam Cleaning or Drying Equipment?

The efficiency and high-powered cleaning capabilities of steam cleaners are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason. When it comes to any deep cleaning process, (especially in the case of fire or water damage restoration) high-powered steam cleaners and dryers are a necessity. They can, however, be a costly purchase. But with the help of The Steam Team, renting the right equipment can be a breeze.

The Benefits

Here are some of the known benefits of using steam cleaners versus other cleaning methods:

The process of steam cleaning kills 99.99% of bacteria without the use of the toxic chemicals found in common cleaners (bleach, ammonia, etc.). The only ingredients are heat and water.

Steam cleaning poses no threat to children or pets that may be in the home, due to it’s non-toxic nature.

Steam cleaning only uses water and heat, meaning it won’t aggravate anyone’s allergies or asthma.

When mold grows anywhere in the home, particularly the bathroom, it can contaminate the air and cause several health problems. Steam cleaning, unlike bleach, actually kills the mold. Bleach only makes the mold blend in with the white surfaces.

Rental Advice

Given the benefits listed above, you’re likely considering a steam cleaner for your next big job. But what’s the best way to go about renting this equipment? Here’s our advice:

Rent from a company that is known throughout your local area for having great customer service and some of the best deals around. If fire or water damage restoration is the reason for your equipment rental, find the company with the real experts on those topics. For customers with the capabilities to execute such jobs, The Steam Team offers a full line of high-powered steam cleaning and drying equipment for rental purposes. For a comprehensive list of the equipment and services offered, visit The Steam Team website, and don’t be afraid to call to speak to an expert!

Why The Steam Team Is The Best Carpet Cleaning Service Around

Rugs and Carpets require regular care to maintain and keep clean and pristine. The carpet cleaning service offered by The Steam Team is designed to remove all soils, odors and allergens from your carpet. This cleaning process will also extend the life of your carpet and improve the air quality of your home or business.

The Best Technology For The Job

One thing that sets The Steam Team carpet cleaning apart from other companies is that we work with only the latest and best technology for the job. Our method cleans deep and removes even the toughest stains using hot water extraction technology.

We also use high powered professional truck mounted equipment for a powerful, yet gentle clean of all carpets and rugs. Only the cleaning wand and hoses are brought into your home or business. All dirt is removed and stored in the waste tank of our modern trucks.

Restoration Cleaning

The Steam Team also offers restoration carpet cleaning, meaning even carpets or rugs that are heavily soiled and damaged can be cleaned. The restoration cleaning process adds several additional steps to ensure the best clean for your carpets. The extra steps involve a powerful floor machine used to loosen soil and dirt before the standard hot water extraction method.

Professional Drying Process

Cleaning your carpets yourself, or relying on other companies, may require you to wait long periods of time for your floors to dry. The Steam Team doesn’t think you should have to wait. For your convenience, you can ask for our professional drying process where high powered drying fans are used to change your carpets or rugs from soaked to damp to dry in no time.

With your carpets and rugs efficiently cleaned and quickly dried, you’ll be able to get things back to normal quite quickly. For more information on the other services that we have to offer, visit The Steam Team website.

Cleaning Your Area Rug

Tips to Clean Your Area Rug

Cleaning an area rug can be a challenging task, especially if you haven't done it in a while. However, it is essential to clean your Austin rugs on a regular basis, as dust mites and microbes can gather in your rugs and carpets and cause a variety of diseases. As a matter of fact, dirty area rug can worsen asthma, can create bronchitis and a wide range of respiratory issues. Having said that, here you will find the top five area rug cleaning tips that will let you clean your rugs in a fast, safe and cost-effective way.

1. VACUUM FIRST

One of the biggest mistakes people tend to do is that they move on to the wet cleaning process without vacuuming the area rug first. Vacuuming the rug is essential, as this will eliminate the excess debris and will make the cleaning part a lot easier. Besides, if you rub the area rug without properly removing the dust and debris, there will still be loose dirt inside the rug. All you need is a normal dry vacuum cleaner to make your work easier. If you do not want to use the vacuum cleaner, you can always go for the traditional broom, made from real broom corn.

2. Choose THE RIGHT PRODUCT

Choosing the right cleaning products is essential for removing all stains, dust and bacteria located in your Austin rug. You basically have two options: you can either use products that are especially designed for rugs, or you can prepare a homemade cleaning product. If you have an expensive, unique type of rug and you are afraid that you might ruin it, it is highly recommended to choose professional products - however, test the product on the corner of the rug before cleaning it! On the other hand, you can combine warm water with mild liquid soap - this option is more affordable, especially if you have several rug to clean!

3. SHAVING CREAM HELPS REMOVE STAINS

We have all confronted with the problem of wine stains on the area rug - if this is your case too, then you certainly know that wine stains don't come off easily! As a tip, you can use shaving cream to remove these stains quickly and efficiently and, most important, without damaging your rug! Apply the shaving cream with an old shaving brush, allow it to "work its magic" for a couple of minutes then use a damp, clean rag to wipe up the shaving cream.

4. REMOVing GREASE

Grease stains can be a real challenge to clean -- even more difficult than red wine stains in some cases. Here's a simple trick for getting grease out quickly. Sprinkle the rug with flour and lay a piece of brown paper of the stain, press with a heavy object and wait for 20 minutes. The grease will transfer to the paper and remove virtually all of the grease.

5. Try Vinegar

Last, but certainly not least, diluted white vinegar can act like an universal cleaning product - it can not only remove almost all sorts of stains, but it can also kill germs and remove dust mites in no time. However, the rule is that you must always test any product on a small part of the rug before using it on the entire rug.

In conclusion, these are the top five tips for cleaning your rugs quickly and effectively with a minimum of effort. If you take into account the hints mentioned above, you will have sparkling clean rugs without spending lots of money and time. 

Need your Austin area rug cleaned? Contact us!

Does Carpet Padding Help Your Carpet?

In short, the answer is yes, carpet padding can tremendously help and even protect your carpet at times. Many homeowners don’t realize how important its impact may be, as it’s usually the first to go when building a home or installing new flooring and trying to cut costs. However, with ineffective carpet padding, your carpeting doesn’t have enough support. The better the support, the longer the flooring lasts!

So, let’s talk carpet padding for a minute to help you understand the best decision to make when installing your new carpet flooring. There are many variables to consider when it comes to flooring; the area of the home, the amount of traffic it’s going to endure, and the amount of messes you expect. The padding beneath the carpeting needs to be chosen with these factors in mind so you choose the right padding for your home and family.

The Benefits of Carpet Padding

Besides offering additional support for carpet and carpet fibers, the padding beneath carpet serves to protect the subfloor, cushion the flooring to offer more comfort, and absorb spills or messes (and keep them from damaging the subfloor).

Having a high-quality padding beneath your carpet, allows the carpet fibers to absorb less of the shock from the force of when people (or animals) walk and move around. Without enduring additional force, the fibers are protected from extensive damage, allowing them to last longer.

Replacing the carpeting or other flooring typically only occurs a few times throughout the lifetime of a home (of course this depends on a variety of factors, but generally speaking). But, even so, if you’re faced with picking out new carpet and looking at installing new floors, we always recommend not skimping on the padding and ensuring that it’s going to be the best option for you.

If you need a professional company to come in a clean your carpet, look at your flooring, or even refinish your hardwoods- we’re here for you! Give us a call anytime, here at The Steam Team.

Austin Insurance Tips

Sometimes, shopping around for an insurance company in Austin can be very perplexing. You may be wondering what plans and levels of coverage are right for your needs. It is easy for insurance agents to fool you if you aren't wise to some basic insurance facts. This article includes many insurance tips to help you get the best deals possible.

Ensure that you receive fast payments in the event of insurance claims through the use of endorsements. Endorsements that prove the value of your most valuable property, such as expensive jewelry, pieces or artwork or state-of-the-art video equipment, are obtained and provided by you to your insurance company. In the event of a fire, flood or anything that results in your property being damaged, stolen or lost, you can receive payouts to cover the cost much quicker, when the specific items are endorsed.

Purchase specialty insurance policies carefully. Some are useful, others are a waste of money. You might need flood insurance, but it's not likely if you live in the middle of a desert. Credit protection insurance might be helpful, but only if you buy it from the right company. Having the right policies is helpful, but the wrong ones will only cost you money. Always investigate first, and buy cautiously.

Before you purchase a home you should investigate home owner's insurance premiums in your desired neighborhood. Sometimes a few blocks can mean big differences in premiums because of government declared flood plains or other natural phenomenon. If you don't research these costs you may be trapped in a very expensive proposition with your Austin home needing water damage restoration.

With your new-found arsenal of insurance information, you can now go out and find the ideal insurance plan for you. When you have adequate knowledge, the search for insurance transforms from an enigmatic and tedious chore into an easy, manageable task. Use these tips to your advantage and be relieved that your assets are insured if anything ever goes wrong.

How to Care for Wool Carpets

The Steam Team has been in business for more than three decades. And we have seen and solved just about every carpet problem there is. 

One area of special concern is proper care and concern for your wool carpets. Here are some tips for keeping your wool carpets in prime condition

Vacuum Often

• A beater bar cleaner with brush is the way to go for cut pile carpet. But for loop-style carpeting like Berber, you'll want a suction only unit to avoid fraying the fabric.
• Place rugs or mats over the most heavily trafficked areas of the carpet. And be sure to clean them regularly. Finally, replace your AC filters regularly to prevent soiling from the ducts and vents.
• Occasionally, clean high traffic areas with an absorbent carpet and then vacuum.
• Keep absorbent paper or cloth towels handy for spot spills.
• and accidents. 
• DO NOT apply silicon-based stain repellants as they actually tend to increase soiling. Many manufacturers won't honor warranties when these products have been applied.

Carpet Cleaning Tips

Today's carpets are made to withstand a lot of wear and tear and generally heavy traffic. But no matter the grade and quality of the carpet, they are all susceptible to all sort of stains and blots that lessen the beauty and shorten the life of your carpets. Carpet cleaning Austin, TX from The Steam Team is here to help.

Here are some tips for dealing effectively and quickly with carpet stains.

Get Into Action Quickly

Modern carpet is typically treated with a stain-resistant process, so many spills can be removed if you act quickly. The longer the stain remains, the better chance it will be permanent. So, move quickly on any spill.

Blot liquids with a dry, dye-free white cloth or paper towel

No Scrubbing Allowed

Scrubbing a soiled area of the carpet can damage the pile in the affected area. Use paper towels or dye-free cloths until the are is dry. For semi-solid foods or pet feces, use a rounded instrument like a spoon or putty knife. Solids should be broken up so that they can be vacuumed up easily.

Pretest any spot removal agent in an out of sight area to ensure the solution won't damage the carpet or harm the dye. Apply a few drops and hold a white cloth to the area for one minute. If there is any visible damage to the fiber or if any dye comes up on the cloth, you should select another spot cleaner.

Work from the edges of the spill

First, don't scrub the blot. Work from the outside of the spill by blotting. This will keep it from spreading.

How to Care for Your Rugs

Basically, rugs need the same attention as wall-to-wall carpet, and in many cases require additional care.

Washing rugs

Small rugs that are machine washable should be shaken well outside and washed per the manufacturers recommendation. Use warm water (90 to 105 degrees) and a mild detergent. Tumble your rug dry at the lowest heat setting. 

Beating larger rugs

If you have a larger rug, you can suspended it outside and beat it with a broomstick and then take it inside for vacuuming. Next, if the label says dry-clean only, find a professional rug service like The Steam Team for a highly quality steam cleaning and stain treatment. 

Vacuuming area rugs

Area rugs with fringe require special technique. Use gentle suction and start from the center of the carpet, vacuuming toward the fringe and being careful not to catch the strands in the beater bar. Lift the carpet edge to vacuum beneath the fringe. 

Caring for Oriental, Turkish or Persian rugs

These expensive rugs should almost always be taken to a professional cleaning service. This is especially true if they have fringes, which you can easily damage with a vacuum cleaning.

Professional Rug Cleaning

Regular cleanings by a professional will extend the life of your area rugs. If you live in Austin or Central Texas, call The Steam Team for any of your professional rug cleaning needs!