Author: apluscarpetcle

Professional Carpet Cleaning vs. Home Machines

One would think that with the glut of home carpet cleaners that have appeared on the market in the past decade, that your friendly neighborhood Longview Kelso Carpet Cleaning professionals would have begun to look for other work. But, believe it or not, the new technology in home carpet and upholstery cleaners has not kept up with the technology professionals and it has everything to do with high-pressure steam.

Back in the day, it was a toss-up as to whether or not to call your local Longview Kelso Carpet Cleaner and have your carpets professionally cleaned or to just rent a commercial-grade machine and do it oneself. Both may have been equally inconvenient in terms of dry-time and cost and both may have had similar results. Both the pros and the home machines used harsh brushes and harsh chemicals and it really just came down to whether or not the consumer felt like doing it themselves.

But, with today’s eco-friendly, effective and gentle high–pressure steamers, along with the high cost of home machines, it is now a no-brainer. With the exception of a few steam cleaners intended for kitchen or bath surfaces, there is currently nothing on the do-it-yourself market that can clean your carpets as efficiently (both in terms of cost and efficacy) and gently as well as your local Longview Kelso Carpet Cleaner.
So, before you spend upwards to $1000.00 for home carpet and upholstery cleaning machines, think hard about what is really best for your carpets and your budget. Harsh brushes damage the integrity of your carpet fibers and the chemicals used can damage things on a broader scale. And, if you really do the math, how much are you saving when you buy your own machine? When you factor in the time and energy it takes to do things yourself (including moving your own furniture, purchasing the solutions) how much are you really saving? If you are still unsure about whether or not to buy or hire, call your favorite Carpet Cleaner in Longview Kelso and get prices on regular care and ask about the products they use. A reliable and trustworthy Green Home Carpet Cleaner will help you create a schedule and a budget that fits your needs.

Although vacuum cleaning can remove a majority of the dry soil, it is also necessary to clean your carpet on a frequent basis to remove the oily, sticky soil that builds up in the pile as a result of odors and dirt that is tracked in from outside.

If you can clean the carpet before it becomes too bad, the cleaning chore will be easier to do and a lot more successful.  There is a myth that is totally false, which states that cleaning the carpet before

It is necessary to get it dirtier faster.  The carpet with the typical household should be cleaned every 12 – 18 months depending on the number of people living there and the amount of traffic that walks on the carpet.

The choice of the right vacuum is important as well.  There are some vacuums that will leave residues behind, which will promote re-soiling and basically defeat the whole purpose of household cleaning.

Professional carpet cleaners

It is in your best interest to use professional cleaners simply because their experience will enable them to do a much better job than you can do yourself. The equipment they use has more extraction power than the units available to you, and the carpet will dry faster as well.  They know the cleaning agents to use, and they know the differences in carpet construction and fibers.

Doing it yourself

If you have made the decision to rent a steam cleaning machine and do the job yourself, you should check on several systems before you make a selection.  Most of the units available for rent

don’t clean well enough and may end up damaging your carpet.  Therefore, you should always consider the following:

– Several rental companies offer cleaning equipment that is similar to what the professionals use.  The equipment should have enough vacuum power to allow the carpet to dry within 12 hours of cleaning.  You should always avoid rental units found in retail and grocery stores that don’t have the power to extract the cleaning solution from the carpet fast enough, as it can actually damage the carpet due to over wetting.

– Make sure you avoid over-wetting the carpet.  Any prolonged dampness can lead to mildew

growth and bacteria in the carpet, or cause a separation of the backing.  A wet carpet that stays this way for longer than 24 hours can develop problems.  You can control this by using proper equipment and the right training.

–  Carpets that have stain resistant treatments have to be cleaned with products that are formulated for this very purpose, or the stain resistance will be impaired and the warranty will be voided.  Never use cleaning or spotting solutions that contain bleaches as they can mess up the color of the carpet.

–  Never use any silicone based treatments on the carpet.

– You can help to reduce the drying time by using several fans to move the air around the carpet. You can use a dehumidifier as well, as it will pull moisture from the air.

Hot water extraction

The hot water extraction system is highly recommended, as it is considered to be one of the best methods for carpet cleaning.  Also known as steam cleaning, the process consists of spraying a mixture of water and detergent into the pile and recovering the water and soil with a powerful vacuum that puts it into a holding tank.  You can use a truck mounted unit or a portable self contained unit as well.  This method is easily one of the best, and is ideal for soiled carpets or pet stains that you have yet to get out of the fibers.

Hiring a Professional For Pet Stain And Odor Removal

There are many cat and dog owners today that find it difficult to get all of the stains and odors out of their carpeting. No matter how hard they work to get their carpeting clean, it just seems like there are some stains that are extremely difficult to work with. In addition to that, even if you are able to get a lot of the odors up, you may still find that there will be darkened spots that don’t seem to want to break down.  Calling in the professionals like A+ Carpet & Furniture Cleaning for carpet cleaning will allow you to get the deep down clean that you are hoping for so that you can get rid of both the stain and any smells that may be lingering.

A professional carpet cleaning company like us will be able to come out to your location to fully assess any of the areas that need to be addressed where there are pet stains and odors that might be present. During this time, you can ask them about any of the methods that they use to clean the carpets, the equipment that they have and also the types of products or chemical cleaners that they will be using inside your home. If you would rather have green products only, you can talk with A+ Carpet Cleaning about using only natural products or simple steam solutions to clean the carpeting.

Even if you attempt carpet cleaning on your own, you may only be getting the surface area clean. When this happens, you are going to run the risk of residual stains popping up over time and some of the pet odors lingering in your home even after the cleaning seems to be done. Pace Pro professionals will have all of the experience, tools and knowledge to clean your carpets thoroughly so you can live without pet stains and odors on your flooring.

Having your carpets cleaned is a chore that usually falls into the same category as spring cleaning: not very fun to do, but necessary, and should occur with approximately the same level of frequency. Most carpet owners, however, will only have their carpets cleaned once every few years (and some not even that). Carpet cleaning is not merely cosmetic. Having your carpet cleaned will revitalize your carpet and increase its lifespan. For optimal performance and duration, manufacturers recommend having your carpet professionally steam cleaned at minimum every 12 – 18 months, depending on the amount of traffic in your home. In fact, many warranties stipulate this – be sure to carefully read your warranty information.

Nylon Carpet

While this recommendation holds true for all types of carpet, it is especially true in the case of nylon carpeting. Nylon contains a hydrogen molecule in its makeup – this is the primary source of nylon’s resiliency. When the fibers have been flattened down due to foot traffic, cleaning reactivates the hydrogen molecule, causing the fibers to literally bounce back. The cleaning will actually revive the carpet and enhance performance.

Hot Water Extraction

The primary method of carpet cleaning recommended by carpet manufacturers is hot water extraction – more commonly (though slightly imprecisely) known as steam cleaning. In the hot water extraction method, hot water is essentially sprayed on the carpet and then sucked back into the machine, along with any dirt that was in the carpet. There is usually a cleaning solution added into the water to assist in the removal of stains. Technically speaking, true steam cleaning does not spray water on the carpet, but rather heats the water and uses the resulting steam to clean the fibers. However, today it is widely accepted that the term steam cleaning actually refers to hot water extraction, the most common cleaning process.

Professional Cleaning

Professional cleaners may use either a truck-mounted unit or a portable machine. The portable machine has obvious benefits, such as being able to be used in apartment and condo buildings in units that would otherwise be beyond the reach of a truck-mounted unit’s hose. However, truck-mounted units are more powerful than portable units, and should be used whenever possible for maximum efficiency.

DIY

There is also a plethora of do-it-yourself steam cleaning machines available for either rent or purchase. If your household is prone to spills or accidents that are difficult to clean, a small steam cleaner may be a worthwhile purchase to have on hand to tackle the resulting stains. However, for more general cleaning of your entire carpet surface, I highly recommend having a professional come to do it. There are too many variables with DIY machines – the temperature of the water, the amount of cleaner to add, the exact method of use – that present opportunities for things to go wrong.

Generally, DIY machines tend not to heat the water to the same high temperature as professional machines, which could result in less effective cleaning. In addition, these machines are not as powerful, which means that they are not able to extract as much of the water (and therefore dirt) from the carpet. When properly done, the carpet should be only slightly damp after it has been thoroughly cleaned – wet carpet indicates that the machine was not powerful enough to do the job effectively. If your carpet is very wet after cleaning, use fans to speed up the drying, and be sure to stay off it until it is dry. Do not replace the furniture before the carpet is completely dry.

Cost Savings

If you are concerned about the cost of having a professional come to clean your carpets, consider having only the traffic areas cleaned. This means that your big pieces of furniture, like the sofa, bed, etc., are left in place, and the cleaner simply goes around them. Not only do you not see the carpet under these large pieces of furniture, but it is not exposed to the air, light, and traffic the way the rest of your carpet is, so it makes sense that it does not require cleaning as often. (Of course, if you frequently move your furniture around, it would probably be best to have the entire surface cleaned.) Having only the traffic areas done should result in a cost savings over cleaning the entire area.

If you’ve gone for ages without having your carpet properly cleaned, you will likely be exposing your family to dirt, grime, and filth on a regular basis.. If you are dealing with stubborn stains from household pets, then the Prochem performer is likely your best bet. The device, which is a wonder of modern technology, uses steam chambers and an intense jet system to remove even the toughest stains. When you have guests coming in from out of town, a thorough carpet cleaning will make the entire home look much more elegant.

If you have kids running around the house, you will no doubt have experienced your fair share of juice spills. Orange juice, for example, can create stains that are nearly impossible to eliminate by hand. Rather than accept your unfortunate fate, however, you can turn to A+ Carpet & Furniture Cleaning. Wine and juice stains will not stand a chance. Customers can also choose to have a special protectant added to the carpet. This way, the individual fibers will remain in excellent shape for much longer periods of time.

We are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week for flood restoration work, should you have a pipe break.  We can make it out in most cases within 30 minutes to prevent the water from creating further damage, and we work with all insurance companies billing them directly.

Carpet steam cleaning tips, tricks and secrets make keeping your carpets clean easier. Most carpets are stain-resistant, meaning that the manufacturer has treated them to reduce staining. However, no carpet is stain-proof. Over time, the carpet’s fibers trap dirt, oils and bacteria, which can discolor the material and cause unpleasant odors and stains. Use a few tips, tricks and secrets to steam clean your carpets, as needed, and then keep them cleaner longer with some simple suggestions for the whole family.

Tips

Test a hidden area of your carpet, such as inside a closet, before using an extra-strength or homemade steam-cleaning product to make sure that it does not burn the carpet or lift the color. Steam cleaning is hard work. There’s a lot of back and forth movement and bending; you’ll also be lifting and carrying buckets to empty and refill the dirty and clean water — don’t forget to stretch before, during and after this physically demanding chore. Contact the manufacturer of your steam cleaner to ask for recommended or non-chemical cleaning solutions. If you venture out on your own and use homemade concoctions or non-recommended solutions, they could void the cleaner’s warranty.

Tricks

Loose dirt and grime hides in carpeting. Vacuum the floors before you set to work with the steam cleaner. By running the vacuum cleaner slowly and repeatedly over one area at a time, you will reduce the amount of dirt or “mud” pushed through the carpet by the steam cleaning process. As a matter of course, blot stains as they happen; club soda or a mixture of one part white vinegar with three parts water remove colorful stains, such as red wine, pop and juice.

Secrets

Sometimes the simplest cleaning solutions are right under your nose — or, in this case, right out of the tap or inside of the kitchen cupboard. Because steam already reduces or destroys most bacteria, pure water may be all you require to freshen your rugs. Use baking soda to remove odors and stains: dissolve 1-tsp baking soda in a cup of water to pour on pet stains or other smelly messes before steam cleaning. Don’t steam clean on humid summer days or cold winter days. On warm, dry days, you will be able to dry the carpeting and air out the space. This avoids an overly steamy home by opening windows.

Keeping Your Carpets Clean

Just as there are many tips, tricks and secrets for steam cleaning carpets, there are also lots of ideas and ways to keep them clean longer. The longer your carpets stay clean, the less often you will have to drag out the steam cleaner. Set doormats at every entryway and ensure that everyone wipes by hanging a friendly – or cheesy – sign as a reminder; “Please be Sweeties and Wipe Your Feeties.” Even if family members occasionally forget to wipe, the mats will catch some of the dirt as they walk over them. Vacuum thoroughly at least twice a week by running a strong-suction vacuum cleaner with a rotating power head over the floors. Have all family members remove their shoes at the door. You can keep slippers available at the door for everyone, including guests.

For carpet care a wet/dry vacuum cleaner is the best way to effectively remove stains. Use the attachment with the best suction and vacuum as much of the stain as possible, continuing to add water to the stain as you go. Treatment of the affected area should begin immediately upon discovery. The more time that elapses before treatment, the more difficult a stain will be to remove. For the best results, useMohawk FloorCare Essentials Carpet Spot Remover and Cleaning Kit.

• First scrape the food spill gently with a spoon or dull knife, or a Mohawk FloorCare Essentials Carpet Cleaning Key, removing as much solid material as possible. If detergent is required, use it sparingly and gently rinse the area with water while moving the vacuum wand back and forth. Use a towel to absorb all moisture.
• If spot removal solvent is necessary use Mohawk FloorCare Essentials Spot Remover or other low residue carpet spot remover that has been approved by The Carpet and Rug Institute of America, apply several drops to a clean white cloth and blot the carpet in an inconspicuous area. If a color change occurs or color transfers to the cloth, consult a professional carpet cleaner.
• Place towels or cloth over wet areas and weight with a heavy, colorfast object to absorb moisture. Leave overnight.
• If stains remain after cleaning, moisten the tufts in the stained area with 3% hydrogen peroxide and let stand for one hour. Blot and repeat until the carpet is stained–free. No rinsing is necessary. Apply a pad of paper towels and weigh them down, allowing the carpet to dry.
• Some stains cannot be removed because they permanently alter the carpet’s color. These stains include acid toilet bowl cleaners, acne medication, alkaline drain cleaners, chlorinated bleaches, hair dyes, iodine, insecticides, mustard with turmeric and plant fertilizers. For these types of stains, call a professional. In order to maintain and protect your warranty coverage under the terms of these warranties, you must do the following: A minimum of one professional cleaning every 18 months is required.
• To schedule a carpet or furniture cleaning call A+ Carpet & Furniture Cleaning 360-578-2439 www.carpetcleaninglongview.com serving Longview Kelso Kalama Castlerock Vader Ryderwood Clatskanie Rainier Scapoose Goble Vancouver Ridgefield Battleground

At A+ Carpet & Furniture Cleaning, we want your carpet to look its best 365 days of the year. That’s why we’re sharing these carpet care tips to help you maintain your carpet until our next visit. Following these tips will not only help to keep your carpet looking its best, but it will help to extend the life of your carpet and increase the amount of time between regular, professional carpet cleanings.

1. Vacuum heavy traffic areas 2 to 3 times a week, and the rest of your carpet once a week.
2. Use an indoor and an outdoor welcome mat to reduce the amount of dirt that enters your home.
3. Use a  Professional Spot Remover to treat spots and spills. If it’s not handy, you can make your own spot removing product by mixing ¼ teaspoon bleach-free liquid detergent with 1 cup cold water.
4. Re-apply stain-resistant protectors to your carpet regularly and after cleanings; the original protection naturally wears down over time.
5. To prevent permanent damage when a stain or spot occurs, act immediately with a spot removal plan. Remember, stain-resistant does not mean stain-proof.
6. Test spot removal products for colorfastness—before you use them. This is best accomplished in an inconspicuous area.
7. Test area rugs for colorfastness before placing them over your carpet. Some rugs may bleed their colors.
8. Vacuum under area rugs periodically. This removes any loose dirt that may be trapped between the rug and your carpet.
9. Leave the protective blocks in place for a couple days after a carpet cleaning. This helps to avoid any color transfer from your furniture to the floor.
10. Clean your furniture and your carpet at the same time. A professional cleaning gets rid of the everyday dirt and soil.

 
At A+ we clean carpets, upholstery, cars, trucks, rv’s , motorhomes, businesses, and rental homes in Longview, Kelso, Vader, Castlerock, Kalama, Vancouver, Battleground, Woodland, Salmon Creek, Hazel Dell, Camas, and even Rainer, Clatskanie, Scapoose and St. Helens.  Don’t get overcharged call A+ first. Don’t forget we also re-stretch and installed carpet. We are the flooring experts.

Myth #1: Wait as long as you can before you have your carpets cleaned

This is an old myth but we still hear it today.  This myth was prevalent when the majority of people cleaned their carpets themselves.  The portable, store rented equipment along with operator error resulted in too much soapy residue being left behind in the carpet.  After a while this residue would attract more dirt and the carpet would look worse than before it was cleaned.
Today professional carpet cleaners have more powerful equipment and better products to eliminate residual soapy residue.  If you wait too long before having your carpets professionally cleaned you may actually wear out your carpet faster as the dirt and grit will damage the fibers as traffic occurs.

Myth #2: Carpet cleaning can damage my carpet.

This is another common misconception in regards to carpet cleaning.  This myth originates from bargain basement carpet cleaners that don’t take the time to properly extract your carpet after cleaning.  Leaving too much water behind can allow for mold and mildew to set in.   This is not a concern with a professional carpet cleaning service.  All good carpet cleaners will have an extraction process to remove any excess water.
Many times home owners call a carpet cleaner as a result of a really low price such as $9.99 per room.  In these cases, unless you purchase their “deluxe” cleaning package costing hundreds of dollars more, chances are you are only getting water clean without extraction which can do more harm than good.
In fact the world’s leading carpet manufacturer Shaw Carpet recommends Steam Cleaning as their preferred method.  Here is what Shaw Carpet has to say:

Shaws choice: Hot water extraction

Research indicates that the hot water extraction system provides the best capability for cleaning. This system is commonly referred to as “steam cleaning,” although no steam is actually generated. The process consists of applying a cleaning agent into the carpet pile and using water in the extractor to recover the used solution and soil.  This can be done from a truck-mounted unit outside the home with only the hose and wand brought inside or by a portable system brought into the home.
Shaw warranties require that the homeowner be able to show proof of periodic cleaning by hot water extraction (commonly called “steam” cleaning) by a professional cleaning service.
 

Myth #3: Steam can damage the color of my carpet.

Another myth as a result of the word “Steam” being commonly used instead of Hot Water Extraction.  Most systems today and especially truck mounted systems will heat the water to a safe temperature for your carpets.  The water exits the wand as a fine mist to carefully apply just enough hot water to clean the carpet.  This can look like steam but is rather a mist. A+ Carpet & Furniture Cleaning serves Longview, Kelso, Castle Rock, Kalama, Cathlamet, WA,  Rainier, Clatskanie, Scapoose, St. Helens, OR we are trained, certified, licensed, bonded, and insured.  We also provide emergency water extractions 7 days a week 24 hours a day, we can bill your insurance for you, and we have all the latest drying equipment to get your home dry fast after a flood.