Bernal's Carpet Care: WHY APPLY PROTECTOR TO YOUR CARPET &  UPHOLSTERY?     

We  all have heard of protectors,    such as Stainmaster Carpet,  ScotchGuard, Teflon, but what do they    really do? Do you need them  or is this just a way for a business to    get your money?

These are good questions and I am    going  to try to answer these questions. First protector is a     water-based, anionic fluorocarbon. Anionic means that these products    have negatively charged ions. A fluorocarbon is a neutral series of     fluorine and carbon compounds that are very heat resistant. These    products are applied as a liquid and turn into a solid.     Application can be a factory application (high heat produces    stronger bond) or topical application (done professionally or by    yourself). These products are safe for kids, pets and adults. These    protectors are used on apparel as well as furniture and carpets.    ScotchGuard has been around since 1956, which is why most people    refer to having their carpet and furniture "Scotchguard". Dupont    Teflon is the next name recognized. There are also generic brands    that have copied the formulas but are less expensive. All companies    continue to test and improve their products, providing the customer    with a protector for their carpet and upholstery.  Clothes are    even now being sold with stain resistant protectors.

With that information we know a    little  more about what a protector is made of and some of the things    it  can be used on. There are a couple of things to remember when    thinking about protector:

1. It does not last for the life    of the  carpet and will generally wear off in one to two years.     Various  sources will tell you differently but that is about the    range. Some  cleaning solutions can clean it off, but most    professional and  do-it-yourself solutions these days have been    formulated not to  remove the protector.

2. Spills Happen. Stains don't    have to.  With most spills time makes a difference. No carpet is    fully  stain-proof. Protector keeps the liquid on the fiber's surface    so  you can clean it up. The longer the spill stays on the fibers,    the  more chance it has to penetrate and stain your carpet or    upholstery. Clean up immediately and follow our guidelines   on how to best clean a spill    or spot. 

3. Proper application. For the    protector  to work it has to be applied properly and at the correct    concentrations. If you are given a cheap price for protector the    cleaner may not be applying it properly. The protector is probably    one of the most expensive chemicals the professional cleaner uses.

4. Protector needs to dry    completely.   When it dries to a solid this is what forms the    protective  barrier.  Do what you can to minimize the use of the    carpet until  the protector has dried. 

Benefits of Protectors

• Vacuuming removes more of the    dirt, since the dirt does not cling to the fibers.
   
• Reduces wear on traffic areas
   
• Professional cleaning will    not be needed as frequently and will be more effective when it    is done.
   
• Stain removal is more    successful because the protector provides a barrier for the    carpet fibers hindering staining.
   
• Reduces permanent stains,    some  spills might have become permanent but the protector and    your  quick clean up prevented it from happening.
   
• Reduces costly service calls    to get a professional stain remover to come and remove stains    between cleanings.
   

Scams to watch out for

• Cleaner could use an off    brand that has not been tested and doesn't really work.
   
• Cleaner could water down the    protector beyond the proper ratio diluting the effectiveness of    the protective barrier.
   
• Improper application the    cleaner  could spray it to thinly on the room which again will    not set up a  proper protective barrier.
   

Recommendations

That protector be applied at    least  annually (normal usage of carpet) at a minimum and every 24    months  (light use of carpet) at a maximum. This should be applied in    the  high traffic areas and high risk areas for spill, such as dining    room, family room and children's bedrooms. 

We also recommend that protector    be  reapplied to upholstery each time it is cleaned. Fabrics tend to    stain easily and clean poorly. Protector will help keep your    furniture look clean, resist stains and last longer.

Protectors will dry stiff but one    vacuum  will return the carpet to its usual softness. Wait till it is    completely dry before vacuuming.

Applying carpet protector to your    carpet  and upholstery will keep them looking better and extend the    life of  your carpet and upholstery, avoiding the expense of    replacing  these high ticket items.

           SATISFACTION GUARANTEED!             

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