Thursday, March 3, 2011
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
How to Choose a Professional Carpet Cleaning Company
So you are tired of looking at your dirty carpet, but you don't know who to trust to get it clean for you. Here's a few tips and questions to ask to be able to get a good reliable company.
When looking for a cleaning professional, be careful of any company that contacts you by phone or that advertises a cleaning price by the room. Room sizes vary and charges should be based on the square footage of carpet cleaned. Also, ask if they offer free on-site written estimates. Never go strictly by television ads or newspaper inserts or jump at the lowest price. And don't accept quotes over the phone. Have the cleaning representative come to your home or office for an inspection. Obtain a written agreement before any work is done. Usually there will not any charge for furniture moving (unless it is really large or difficult). There should also be no charge for routine spot removal or preconditioning. Get a written contract with the total price and statements of guarantees that the cleaning company offers. This way you know to the penny what you will spend before the cleaning is actually performed.
Make sure that you select a cleaning professional with certifications from an organization that certifies professionals, such as the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) or the RIA (Restoration Industry Association). These are the two most recognized certification groups. The technicians as well as the company itself should be certified. Also, at least one technician on the job should be certified in the cleaning job that is being performed, whether it is carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, upholstery, etc.
Here are a few questions to ask. What method of cleaning do you use and what type of equipment? Steam cleaning or hot water extraction is the most preferred method.
Are you certified? What certifications do you have?
When looking for a cleaning professional, be careful of any company that contacts you by phone or that advertises a cleaning price by the room. Room sizes vary and charges should be based on the square footage of carpet cleaned. Also, ask if they offer free on-site written estimates. Never go strictly by television ads or newspaper inserts or jump at the lowest price. And don't accept quotes over the phone. Have the cleaning representative come to your home or office for an inspection. Obtain a written agreement before any work is done. Usually there will not any charge for furniture moving (unless it is really large or difficult). There should also be no charge for routine spot removal or preconditioning. Get a written contract with the total price and statements of guarantees that the cleaning company offers. This way you know to the penny what you will spend before the cleaning is actually performed.
Make sure that you select a cleaning professional with certifications from an organization that certifies professionals, such as the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) or the RIA (Restoration Industry Association). These are the two most recognized certification groups. The technicians as well as the company itself should be certified. Also, at least one technician on the job should be certified in the cleaning job that is being performed, whether it is carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, upholstery, etc.
Here are a few questions to ask. What method of cleaning do you use and what type of equipment? Steam cleaning or hot water extraction is the most preferred method.
Are you certified? What certifications do you have?
Do you guarantee your work?
How quickly will the carpets be dry?
Can you reapply the stain protection?
How long have you been in business? The answer can speak volumes about a company's reputation and experience.
Does the business have references for you to call?
Are they a member of the local Chamber of Commerce or other professional organizations? A business that is involved in the community is usually concerned about their image and wants happy customers.
Make sure to ask if the company uses employees or sub contractors. Company employees are always best. Ask if a uniformed employee in a lettered company truck will show up to clean your house. There are some carpet cleaning companies who are really not carpet cleaning companies they just do the advertising and book the jobs then sub it out to an independent carpet cleaner. In this situation the actual company who books the job has little if any control over the sub contractor entering your home.
Remember you get what you pay for and if you do your homework, ask a lot of questions and hire a good reputable company you should be more than satisfied with the work.
Are they a member of the local Chamber of Commerce or other professional organizations? A business that is involved in the community is usually concerned about their image and wants happy customers.
Make sure to ask if the company uses employees or sub contractors. Company employees are always best. Ask if a uniformed employee in a lettered company truck will show up to clean your house. There are some carpet cleaning companies who are really not carpet cleaning companies they just do the advertising and book the jobs then sub it out to an independent carpet cleaner. In this situation the actual company who books the job has little if any control over the sub contractor entering your home.
Remember you get what you pay for and if you do your homework, ask a lot of questions and hire a good reputable company you should be more than satisfied with the work.
For information Call Pearson Carpet Care at 281-548-7200 or visit our website athttp://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com Kevin Pearson is a Master Cleaning Technician with the IICRC and has over 17 years experience in the carpet cleaning industry. Kevin is presently working on a committee to rewrite the carpet cleaning standards in our industry. Kevin also serves on the Board of Directors for the PCRA (Professional Cleaning and Restoration Association). For information Call Pearson Carpet Care at 281-548-7200 or visit our website athttp://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com Pearson Carpet Care is located at 525 N. Houston Ave. Humble, TX 77338 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Pearson Share and Enjoy: |
How to Choose an Effective Carpet Cleaning Company For Your Home
The carpet cleaning industry is super competitive. You only have to look in all of the direct mail pieces that you receive every day to realize how cut-throat this market can be. So how do you, as a consumer make sense of all of these offers? How do you pick a company which is reputable, isn't going to rip you off and most importantly, is actually going to do what they are supposed to:
CLEAN your carpets!First, it is worth taking a look at the different methods that companies will use to clean your carpets. The 3 best known types of carpet cleaning are:
CLEAN your carpets!First, it is worth taking a look at the different methods that companies will use to clean your carpets. The 3 best known types of carpet cleaning are:
- dry cleaning
- hot water extraction
- steam cleaning
Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaning has a bad rap all over the internet for carpet cleaning. The process involves spraying down the dry cleaning solution and then take a floor buffer (like the ones you see janitors use) with their preference of pad on the bottom and buff your carpet. The rotary motion of this method will fray the tips of your woven or braided carpet fibers. It will also remove some of the dirt or spots on your carpet but what the pad won't pick up will only smear the dirt over a greater area creating what we call leveling. Many of the companies providing this service frequently need to offer a 1 year warranty on carpet cleaning touch ups, in order to give confidence to the consumer.
Hot Water Extraction
Hot water extraction is a more effective way of cleaning carpet but it has its downfalls. The first problem is the misrepresentation of the word "steam" by these companies. Steam is created when the temperature exceeds 212 degrees and anything below this is only hot water. These companies will advertise steam cleaning or even have it implemented into their company name. Unfortunately the only way to truly know is to flat out ask: "how hot does your water get?"
The second problem is not only do they use sub par temperatures they also run a soap "known to professionals as alkaline but its the same thing" through the hot water. If you clean with soap water then there is soap being left behind which causes spots to reappear and cause the entire carpet to get dirty faster due to the dirt attracting power of soap. This also causes their customers to call much more frequently.
So the more they clean your carpet then the more soap that is being accumulated into the fibers. Imagine skipping the rinse cycle on your washing machine or not rinsing off your dishes! Also the design of the carpet cleaning machines using this method loses precious vacuum due to the foaming in the tanks. Less vacuum means more soap and dirt being left behind.
Steam Cleaning
The second problem is not only do they use sub par temperatures they also run a soap "known to professionals as alkaline but its the same thing" through the hot water. If you clean with soap water then there is soap being left behind which causes spots to reappear and cause the entire carpet to get dirty faster due to the dirt attracting power of soap. This also causes their customers to call much more frequently.
So the more they clean your carpet then the more soap that is being accumulated into the fibers. Imagine skipping the rinse cycle on your washing machine or not rinsing off your dishes! Also the design of the carpet cleaning machines using this method loses precious vacuum due to the foaming in the tanks. Less vacuum means more soap and dirt being left behind.
Steam Cleaning
Now we get to the best method of cleaning carpet, Steam cleaning. Instead of using dry cleaning solution or soap to help break down the oils and stubborn spots, the best companies will use an orange extract. The cleaning agent in this is landolin and the citrus acid in it also neutralizes the natural alkalinity of water. For those who didn't know tap water does have a slight bit of alkaline in it. The water should be run through a water softener to remove hard water minerals so that the water used to clean with, is often cleaner than the tap water (some people have reverse osmosis water systems installed into their home).
The contractor then sprays all the carpet about to be cleaned with the orange peel extract then steams it and everything else back out with 250 degrees of steam. 250 degrees is the optimum temperature due to the temperature drop from the machine to your carpet (when steam travels though the hoses it cools down). It usually fluctuates 20-30 degrees by the time the steam reaches your carpet (depending on weather).
This leaves nothing behind but the cleanest carpet possible. This procedure is safe for elderly, babies, puppies/kittens and people with allergies. Also note that since there is no foaming of the machine due to soap, it allows them to hold a constant maximum vacuum lift.
Another big problem that consumers frequently have with the industry is how companies charge for their services. Due to the competitive nature of the market, there are lots of misleading offers to tempt you.
With most companies you will find that they will tell you the cheapest price possible so that you will schedule them, only to be surprised once they arrive at your home that they nickel and dime you. For instance some companies will charge for "deep cleaning", the company apparently decides that your carpet is dirtier than normal? Or they'll tell you that each and every spot needs some sort of special spot remover. All of these extras can add considerably to your final bill!
The only additional costs that could arise should be bio hazardous material removal, excessive soap removal, water extraction (i.e. flood damage), filtration (soot caused by smoke), moving of furniture, or stain guarding the carpet.
Like anything, you get what you pay for and you will usually find that companies that are charging seemingly low prices:
- are not using REAL STEAM
- are dry cleaning
- have few vans that can actually create steam
- are not insured
- use contract labor. (No background checking or drug testing. You don't know who or what is going to be in you home basically.)
Hopefully this article will help homeowners to see the difference between the different carpet cleaning companies and importance of fully understanding exactly what you are going to get when you bring one into your home.
Jason Troy, the owner of Oops Steam Cleaning, http://www.oopssteam.com a Houston carpet cleaning company, has more than 12 years experience in the industry. He was born and raised in Houston, Texas and has been in the Houston carpet cleaning industry for more than 12 years and has learned what he believes are the inside secrets about residential carpet cleaning services. He has taken this information and used it to build his company from the ground up in order to help provide the absolute best experience possible for his clients. "Having worked with 5 of the most well known carpet cleaning companies in Houston, I was able to see the different types of carpet cleaning methods and how these companies treated their customers clients. If you are in the Houston area and would like to experience what 250 degrees of real steam can do for your carpets, we'd love to hear from you" Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Troy Share and Enjoy: |
Carpet Cleaners
It is a good idea to let professional cleaners handle carpets when they get dirty. Houston Texas carpet cleaning professionals use some of the following methods. You should be familiar with the techniques so that you can understand how your carpet will be treated by people who offer carpet cleaning services.
Some people prefer using the dry powder cleaning method to clean their carpets because it is fast. The semi-moist powder that is sprinkled onto the carpet is made to enter the deeper parts by agitating the carpet. The dirt gets fastened to the powder which dries up and can be vacuumed out. The advantage of this technique is that the carpet usually dries up within an hour of treating it.
The shampoo cleaning method is also quite famous because the carpets take about a couple of hours to dry up. In this method, the cleansing shampoo is sprayed on the carpet. The carpet is agitated with a floor machine so that the shampoo reaches all parts of the carpet. After the shampoo attracts the dust in the carpet it dries up. Then it is vacuumed out along with the dirt.
In the bonnet cleaning method, the solution that absorbs the dust is removed with pads that are mounted on floor machines. These synthetic or cotton pads absorb the dust along with the solution. After the cleaning, the carpets have to be dried for an hour or two before they can be used.
Some people prefer using the dry powder cleaning method to clean their carpets because it is fast. The semi-moist powder that is sprinkled onto the carpet is made to enter the deeper parts by agitating the carpet. The dirt gets fastened to the powder which dries up and can be vacuumed out. The advantage of this technique is that the carpet usually dries up within an hour of treating it.
The shampoo cleaning method is also quite famous because the carpets take about a couple of hours to dry up. In this method, the cleansing shampoo is sprayed on the carpet. The carpet is agitated with a floor machine so that the shampoo reaches all parts of the carpet. After the shampoo attracts the dust in the carpet it dries up. Then it is vacuumed out along with the dirt.
In the bonnet cleaning method, the solution that absorbs the dust is removed with pads that are mounted on floor machines. These synthetic or cotton pads absorb the dust along with the solution. After the cleaning, the carpets have to be dried for an hour or two before they can be used.
There is another method that is also quite popular. It is called the steam cleaning method. In this method a solution is sprayed on the carpet. The dirt gets attached to this solution. Then the solution and the dirt are removed from the carpet. The problem with this method is that the carpets require a long time to dry. Usually at least six hours are required, in some cases the carpets need even twenty four hours to completely dry.
In case you have animal waste on your carpet, you should immediately get in touch with carpet cleaners who have the expertise to clean urine or feces. You should not use any chemicals on your own after removing the feces or blotting up the urine. Using chemicals may make the task of the cleaner more difficult. Usually cleaners use enzymes to neutralize the odor and chemicals to remove the stains.
Now that you know so much, carpet cleaning Houston TX should not be a mystery to you. Hope you find the right cleaner!
CarpetCleaning.org has the best carpet cleaners in Houston TX. We take care of all of your carpet cleaningneeds. For more details Contact us at 1-800-544-3361. |
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The Best Carpet Cleaning Companies in Houston
If you own a home in Houston, you're in luck. Houston has some really great companies to clean your carpets for you. Since your carpets are so important to the look of your home as well as your overall health and well-being, it's good to be able to hire companies that you already know offer quality cleaning services. While some carpet cleaning companies in Houston are better than others, the three you're going to read about in the following paragraphs are the cream of the crop.
Genesis Dry Carpet Cleaning
Although not everyone is aware of it, carpets can be dry cleaned. Genesis Carpet Cleaning of Houston is one of the best carpet dry cleaners in the country. They promise customer satisfaction, and they really deliver. They also have good promotional offers which keep customers coming back. For instance, if you have them clean the carpets in three rooms, they'll clean a fourth room for free.
Another great freebie they have to offer is a referral fee. Every time you refer a friend to them, and the friend makes use of their services, you'll get paid. They do such a great job that you'll be happy to refer all your friends to them, and you can get a little bonus on the side. Genesis is family-owned business, and they are proud of what they do. They use a truck-mounted carpet cleaning system which means that when they leave they'll take all the dirt from your carpets away with them.
Queen's Carpet Care Company
Queen's Carpet Care Company has been in business since 1980, so you can tell they are great, or they wouldn't have been around so long. Their promise is quality work and customer satisfaction, and they make good on it.
The IIRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification) has accredited the Queen's company which means it's one of the best businesses in the carpet cleaning industry. Not only does Queen's clean carpets, but they also clean upholstery and repair, restore, and stretch carpets. When Queen's Carpet Care Company leaves your home, your carpets will look the best they've looked since they were brand new.
Cityclean
Another really good carpet cleaning company with almost 20 years of experience is Cityclean. Their well-trained staff cleans carpets, upholstery, draperies, as well as air ducts. This residential and commercial carpet cleaning company is certified, so you know they're very good at what they do.
Cityclean uses the latest in cleaning technology and techniques to clean your carpets. They offer very competitive pricing which makes them a great choice for companies with a lot of carpeting to keep clean. Quality cleaning at affordable prices has made them one of the premier companies in the Houston area.
By looking in your yellow pages or online, you'll be able to find other carpet cleaning companies in the Houston area. However, if you want companies that have a reputation for quality and customer satisfaction, you can't go wrong with Genesis, Queen's or Cityclean.
If you are in the Houston area and are looking for a carpet cleaning company, make sure that you get the most trusted in the industry with track records that prove their worth as a business and as people who believe in customer satisfaction.
Genesis Dry Carpet Cleaning
Although not everyone is aware of it, carpets can be dry cleaned. Genesis Carpet Cleaning of Houston is one of the best carpet dry cleaners in the country. They promise customer satisfaction, and they really deliver. They also have good promotional offers which keep customers coming back. For instance, if you have them clean the carpets in three rooms, they'll clean a fourth room for free.
Another great freebie they have to offer is a referral fee. Every time you refer a friend to them, and the friend makes use of their services, you'll get paid. They do such a great job that you'll be happy to refer all your friends to them, and you can get a little bonus on the side. Genesis is family-owned business, and they are proud of what they do. They use a truck-mounted carpet cleaning system which means that when they leave they'll take all the dirt from your carpets away with them.
Queen's Carpet Care Company
Queen's Carpet Care Company has been in business since 1980, so you can tell they are great, or they wouldn't have been around so long. Their promise is quality work and customer satisfaction, and they make good on it.
The IIRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification) has accredited the Queen's company which means it's one of the best businesses in the carpet cleaning industry. Not only does Queen's clean carpets, but they also clean upholstery and repair, restore, and stretch carpets. When Queen's Carpet Care Company leaves your home, your carpets will look the best they've looked since they were brand new.
Cityclean
Another really good carpet cleaning company with almost 20 years of experience is Cityclean. Their well-trained staff cleans carpets, upholstery, draperies, as well as air ducts. This residential and commercial carpet cleaning company is certified, so you know they're very good at what they do.
Cityclean uses the latest in cleaning technology and techniques to clean your carpets. They offer very competitive pricing which makes them a great choice for companies with a lot of carpeting to keep clean. Quality cleaning at affordable prices has made them one of the premier companies in the Houston area.
By looking in your yellow pages or online, you'll be able to find other carpet cleaning companies in the Houston area. However, if you want companies that have a reputation for quality and customer satisfaction, you can't go wrong with Genesis, Queen's or Cityclean.
If you are in the Houston area and are looking for a carpet cleaning company, make sure that you get the most trusted in the industry with track records that prove their worth as a business and as people who believe in customer satisfaction.
For more carpet cleaning tips including ideas on carpet cleaning machines, check outhttp://www.getyourcarpetclean.com |
Monday, March 15, 2010
Carpet Cleaning Houston Services Opportunities
Beautiful carpets accentuate gleaming wood floors and are both attractive and functional. Well-maintained carpets can be enjoyed for a long time. For many homes in Houston, carpet cleaning services are in high demand to prevent damage to expensive carpets and to keep them looking their best for many years to come.
Carpets get dirty quickly from sand, dirt, debris, dust, oil, and other particulate matter that get stuck between carpet fibers from shoes and pets. You'd be surprised to find out how much soiling is present in your carpet before it becomes visible, which is why regular maintenance is so important. Small stains on carpets, when left untreated, can be very stubborn to remove. Treating spills before they become stains is the key to success.
Vacuuming is the first line of defense against visible carpet soiling. Not all of us can vacuum daily, but it would actually extend the life of your carpet and aid in healthier air quality in your home. The carpet acts like a filter catching the soil from our feet and shoes as well as particulates in the air circulating throughout your home. If properly maintained, with vacuuming, those particles do not get driven into the carpet's fiber.
Maintaining clean carpets is essential for both the aesthetic appearance in your home as well as sanitary living conditions. Choosing a carpet cleaner that is hypoallergenic, gentle and effective is important for the health of everyone in your household. Read the label of carpet care products before using them to be sure that you know what it is that is that you will be putting into your carpet.
Avoid products with bleaching agents as they can actually make matters worse by removing color from your carpet. The stain may be gone but so is the rich color your carpet once had, in that spot, highlighting the mishap. Besides bleaching, some of these chemicals can react to our cleaning products from either past cleanings or future causing deeper issues. In Houston, carpet cleaning services from a professional home service company can provide long lasting results.
For some customers in Houston, carpet cleaning requires removal of persistent and nagging stains, some carpet repair, and treatment for pet stains. Pet stains can often require more intensive carpet care treatment, deep into the fibers to remove unsanitary bacteria. Hence, selecting a professional company that can treat the surface layer, remove germs, sanitize the carpet, and remove stains is important. Choose a carpet cleaning company of Houston that is committed to maintaining the highest professional standards while being flexible to best meet your individual needs. These professional can often give you excellent tips on what you can do to protect your investment.
Houston carpet cleaning customers prefer companies like Kiwi Services because of their commitment to utilizing the best equipment, training its staff, and providing excellent service affordably.
Carpets get dirty quickly from sand, dirt, debris, dust, oil, and other particulate matter that get stuck between carpet fibers from shoes and pets. You'd be surprised to find out how much soiling is present in your carpet before it becomes visible, which is why regular maintenance is so important. Small stains on carpets, when left untreated, can be very stubborn to remove. Treating spills before they become stains is the key to success.
Vacuuming is the first line of defense against visible carpet soiling. Not all of us can vacuum daily, but it would actually extend the life of your carpet and aid in healthier air quality in your home. The carpet acts like a filter catching the soil from our feet and shoes as well as particulates in the air circulating throughout your home. If properly maintained, with vacuuming, those particles do not get driven into the carpet's fiber.
Maintaining clean carpets is essential for both the aesthetic appearance in your home as well as sanitary living conditions. Choosing a carpet cleaner that is hypoallergenic, gentle and effective is important for the health of everyone in your household. Read the label of carpet care products before using them to be sure that you know what it is that is that you will be putting into your carpet.
Avoid products with bleaching agents as they can actually make matters worse by removing color from your carpet. The stain may be gone but so is the rich color your carpet once had, in that spot, highlighting the mishap. Besides bleaching, some of these chemicals can react to our cleaning products from either past cleanings or future causing deeper issues. In Houston, carpet cleaning services from a professional home service company can provide long lasting results.
For some customers in Houston, carpet cleaning requires removal of persistent and nagging stains, some carpet repair, and treatment for pet stains. Pet stains can often require more intensive carpet care treatment, deep into the fibers to remove unsanitary bacteria. Hence, selecting a professional company that can treat the surface layer, remove germs, sanitize the carpet, and remove stains is important. Choose a carpet cleaning company of Houston that is committed to maintaining the highest professional standards while being flexible to best meet your individual needs. These professional can often give you excellent tips on what you can do to protect your investment.
Houston carpet cleaning customers prefer companies like Kiwi Services because of their commitment to utilizing the best equipment, training its staff, and providing excellent service affordably.
Kiwi Services provides Carpet cleaning services in Houston: http://www.kiwiservices.com/houston-carpet-cleaning.htm Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eliz_K Share and Enjoy: |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
