Carpet Cleaning Blog Of Brunswick

AllClean knows how important it is for your home to be a clean & comfortable place for your family. The enviroment is also important, we want to keept it clean & enjoyable as well.

AllClean now can accomplish both tasks at once. We now have Green Seal Certified cleaning solutions that clean your carpet while leaving no harmful footprint on the enviroment. These cleaning solutions have NO added fragrance, dyes, or solvents. This is especially good for those who are sensitive to cleaning products as well as those with children & pets.

Should you go “dry” or “steam” Is one method better than the other? Are these even the right terms? Well, as usual, these terms only hint at part of the issue at hand. Both “dry” and “steam” are incomplete and inaccurate terms. Neither are technical terms that properly describe carpet cleaning methods.  This article will give you an overview of the 4 methods of carpet cleaning that are approved by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the world’s most recognized body of certification for carpet and upholstery cleaners.                                                                                                             Method 1: Hot Water Extraction Otherwise known as “steam cleaning”, hot water extraction is the process that most are probably familiar with. Hot water extraction is the correct technical term, not steam cleaning. Actual steam is not used at all. A hot water solution is produced and immediately recovered, creating a “flushing” action on the carpet. The smallest portable machine rented at the grocery store could be called a “steam cleaner”, but a powerful truck-mounted machine is obviously more capable.   

However, the biggest and most important difference is in the person cleaning the carpet. A trained technician will know what pressure to use, what cleaning products to use, and how to get maximum soil removal and maximum spot removal without over-wetting the carpet or leaving a sticky residue behind. The horror stories of carpet being wet for days is due to operator error, not because “steam” or “hot water extraction” caused it.

Method #2: Absorbent Pad 

Also known as bonnet cleaning, this method employs a round pad that spins across the surface of the carpet, absorbing the soil. A solution is applied to the carpet or the pad to aid in releasing soils. This is a method that some may classify as “dry cleaning” although water based products are used in almost all “dry cleaning” systems, therefore the term dry cleaning is not technical and would not be desired. Absorbent pad cleaning is not a deep cleaning method. It should only be used in lightly soiled situations.

Method #3: Dry Compound This method uses a powder that has been treated with detergents, water, and solvents. The powder compound is sprinkled onto the carpet and a brush with cylindrical brushes is used to work the powder into the carpet pile. The solution that is in the powder releases the soil. The soil is then absorbed into the absorbent powder. This method should only be used in lightly soiled and maintenance situations.  Method # 4: Shampoo or Dry Foam In this method, a shampoo or foam is generated and worked into the carpet with a rotary brush or cylindrical brush machine. The shampoo or foam releases the soil. The soil is then vacuumed with the machine or allowed to dry and removed with a conventional vacuum cleaner. This method should be used in only lightly soiled situations and maintenance cleaning. When using shampoo, great care should be taken to avoid leaving a sticky residue on the carpet.  

Cleaning has historically been viewed as a commodity - a menial task that anyone can do. Long before sophisticated textiles and complex built indoor environments were created, cleaning may have been a simple, easy task, but that is no longer the case. Complex flooring systems, sensitive fabrics, and new age soiling conditions have created a need for advanced education in the cleaning industry. Unfortunately, many cleaners (and consumers) have not understood this concept. We still see the ads for $6.95 per room for carpet cleaning and sofa cleaning for $45.00. The cleaner puts the ads out, never intending on cleaning for those prices, and the consuming public gets the idea that cleaning should be cheap. These so called “cleaning” companies also happen to be the ones that don’t educate themselves or their employees. The result is that carpets and fabrics are being ruined every day by uneducated, uninformed, and sometimes downright unscrupulous carpet cleaners. They are facing soiling conditions that they have never seen or heard of due to a lack of education. Or worse, they create a situation on a carpet or fabric that they have no idea how to fix. Some examples would be that they leave sticky residues in the carpet that causes the carpet or fabric to re-soil rapidly or discolor.

 Top-notch education is readily available in our industry. There is no excuse for cleaners not to educate themselves (and provide useful education to their clients). Part of the problem is since they have fallen into the trap of viewing cleaning as a commodity themselves, they can’t afford to educate themselves. Education is expensive, but the result of not getting the knowledge necessary is much more costly. Our company invests a great deal in education. Not only do we spend thousands of dollars per year on education, we are heavily involved in our industry making us well connected with our industry leaders.  This way, if a unique situation arises in the field, we have experts that we can call on, therefore bringing the cutting edge of cleaning technology to you. 

 The bottom line is that you have a tremendous investment in your textiles and flooring systems and it is our duty to know how to best care for them. Understanding cleaning technology at the highest level helps to reduce cleaning residues and creates a healthier indoor environment by eliminating invisible germs and bacteria. It also empowers the cleaner to remove more soil, therefore creating a longer lasting fabric or floor.

Have you ever wondered if you are cleaning your floors and fabrics enough? Or too much? Are there frequency guidelines for professional cleaning? If so, where do you find them? Surely you have heard “Wait as long as you can before you clean your carpet…” or “Once you’ve cleaned your carpet, it’s never the same…”.  These widely used comments have stemmed from unfortunate encounters with uninformed cleaners that have left the carpet with an overload of detergent residue. The consumer has assumed that this is the case with all carpet cleaning and resolved to wait until the carpet is in dire straights to clean it.  The good news is that a properly cleaned carpet will not re-soil as quickly and will actually last longer. Why? Because damaging soils are removed with effective cleaning. Soil that is not removed by vacuuming, even though it can rarely be seen by the naked eye, cuts and slices on the carpet fibers as the carpet is being walked on breaking down the carpet yarns in the traffic areas. The result is that even with restorative cleaning at that point, it will not correct the damage that has been done to the fiber. Fiber producers and carpet manufacturers recommend that a residential carpet should be professionally cleaned at least 12 to 18 months for best performance, more often in heavily trafficked and heavy soiling situations.  A Clean Carpet is a Healthy Carpet Not to mention that a carpet that is not cleaned on a regular basis is an unhealthy carpet. Carpet is like a sink. It collects soils, pollens, insecticides, exhaust, etc. that gets tracked in or blown in from the polluted outdoors. This creates and unhealthy indoor environment.  What About My Hard Surface Floors and Rugs?  Hard surface floors can also be permanently damaged by not being professionally cleaned on a regular basis. For example, hardwood floors get deep scratch patterns. The grout on stone and tile floors isn’t sealed or the sealer has been affected by household cleaners and no longer repels the soil and spillage. Also, the grout is a “valley” that the soil gets mopped into on a daily basis.  And finally, a 9 x 12 Oriental Rug can hold up to 87 pounds of soil without looking dirty! This was demonstrated by a study done by the Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company. So, get your rugs cleaned about once a year as well, including removing the dry soil.

It’s that time of year again. Freezing air sweeps down from the arctic chilling everything in its path. Geographical areas that seldom see freezing temperatures brace for winter’s worst. While the hard freeze may not last that long, its effect on your plumbing and home may have long-term consequences. First, let’s discuss an “ounce of prevention” Foremost, provide a little protection in the first place.
*Seal leaks that allow cold air inside. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in.
  *Ensure that vulnerable pipes are insulated to prevent freezing. Pay close attention to pipes in outside walls or ceilings that may be exposed to low temperature. Leave cupboard or cabinet doors open to warm plumbing fixtures.
  *When freezing (below 20ºF/-7ºC) is predicted, shut off water, disconnect hoses and drain outside faucets. If you don’t have an inside shut-off valve, wrap pipes or faucets in UL-approved insulation.
*Allow faucets to drip a little to keep water moving through them and to relieve pressure buildup.
  *If you plan to be away from home, set the heating system no lower than 55ºF (13ºC). Have neighbors check your home periodically.
  *If accessible pipes do freeze, use a hair dryer or electric heater to thaw them out. Never use an open flame for thawing and never leave the electric dryers unattended.

OK,so what happens if a frozen pipe bursts and floods your home? The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) offers this set of standard “dos and don’ts” for dealing with water damage from frozen pipes.
*Do shut off the water immediately and ensure that a plumber is called to eliminate the water source and make necessary repairs as quickly as possible.
*Do, since your insurance policy requires that you take “reasonable and prudent steps to contain the damage,” call AllClean Carpet Care, your local Water Damage Specialists     *Do, if safe to do so, turn off circuit breakers supplying electricity to wet areas, and unplug and remove small electrical devices.
*Do, remove small furnishings from carpet to prevent rust or stains; place double-folded aluminum foil under legs of metal or wood furniture (especially antiques) that cannot be removed.
*Do, hang draperies and pin up furniture skirts to prevent contact with wet floors and resulting water rings
*Do, remove books, shoes, paper goods, fabrics, potted plants, or other items that may stain carpet (check under beds and in closets.
*Do, mop up standing water on hard surface flooring to prevent further absorption and slip-fall hazards.
*Do, remove and secure breakable, moisture-sensitive or high-value items from furnishings.
*Do, if the water source was overhead, use dry towels to absorb water on furniture; then, remove and dry damp contents or wash and dry fabrics quickly.
*Do, increase air circulation with fans and set heating systems on about 70ºF (21ºC).
*Do, call your insurance agent to report the damage and confirm coverage
*Do not use home vacuum since electrical shock may result, as well as potential damage to the equipment itself.
*Do not place newspaper in the traffic areas, since ink transfers easily.
*Do not walk on wet carpet any more than necessary to keep water from spreading.
*Do not activate the heating system if it is has been directly contacted by water.
*Do not increase indoor temperature excessively.
Remember, whenever water damage takes place in your home, help is just a phone call away. AllClean is ready for any emergency at any time!

Just call us at 207-725-7277 and we will help with all your water damage problems.

Yes!  Thanks for coming.  I will be posting valuable tips you can use to maintain your carpet, tile, and upholstery.

Come back soon.

Wayne Bailey