Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Choosing A 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?
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.

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 the industry.  For information Call Pearson Carpet Care at 281-548-7200 or visit our website at http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com.  

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Removing candle wax from carpet

Since there a lots of candles sold and used around Christmas time each year, here are a few tips for removing any wax that drips on your carpet.

First use a blunt object to gently scrape off excess wax.  To remove any remaining wax you can finish up using a warm iron or wallpaper steamer. If using an iron I highly recommend that you set the iron on low heat and be very careful. A synthetic carpet can melt if the iron is too hot and stays in one place too long.  Place a moist white terry cloth towel over the wax spill and iron over it using the warm iron. Keep moving the iron so you don't get an iron-shaped burn mark in your carpeting. Do this in 10-12 second intervals and rotate the towel to a clean spot each time.

You could also use a wallpaper steamer to get the wax hot and then blot it up with a white terry cloth towel.

For more information on cleaning and restoration go to pearsoncarpetcare.com

Monday, November 30, 2009

How to prepare for your carpet cleaning with Pearson Carpet Care


Thank you for trusting Pearson Carpet Care with your carpet, upholstery, mattresses, draperies and tile and grout cleaning needs. Below are some suggestions to help both of us as you prepare for our arrival.

Please remove any small items such as dining room chairs, magazine racks, floor plants, boxes, etc. from any areas that are going to be cleaned.

Please remove all breakable items from furniture which will have to be temporarily moved, cleaned under, and put back in place on foam blocks or plastic tabs.

Please pin or hang up any full-length draperies so they will be at least 6 inches from the floor.

Computer equipment, china cabinets, entertainment centers, large beds with middle legs, antique and fragile furniture cannot be moved. However, carpet underneath such items can be cleaned where sufficient room is available, or we can edge right around the base.

During the inspection with the technicians, please advise them of any special instructions to follow when moving your furniture. It is helpful to know about weak legs, loose tops or previous repairs.

Please, call attention to any spots or stains which you may be particularly concerned about.

Pet Odors:
We do everything possible to reduce or eliminate pet odors. However, due to the depth of contamination, 100% success may not be attained in all cases.

Care after cleaning:
Any air movement going across the carpet will help it dry out faster. Typically our dry times are 2-4 hours anyway but you could be on the low side of that with some fans or ceiling fans left on.

Please leave your plastic tabs and foam blocks under your furniture for at least 24 hours after cleaning.

Please use extreme caution when walking from the damp carpet to any hard surface area.

Please feel free to visit our website to learn more about carpet and oriental rug cleaning from Houston's Best Cleaner. http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com





Monday, November 16, 2009

Why waiting to clean your rugs can destroy their beauty and value.

Why waiting to clean your rugs can destroy their beauty and value.


                           Pet stains – If pet stains are not dealt with right away it could damage the rug and make it unsanitary.  Pet urine and vomit are both acidic in nature which causes them to penetrate rug fibers and it can literally dye the rug.  Most rug dyes are acidic so it is important that you act fast to prevent a permanent “yellow” stain.
           Carpets, area rugs, and hand made rugs all act like your air conditioner filter, in that they trap dirt, insects, dander, pollutants, bacteria, and other air born things.  Without proper and consistent cleaning the indoor air quality in your home will be affected.
            Lastly, an unclean rug could have pounds of dirt in it.  Then every time you walk on it you are grinding the dirt particles in to the rug which causes the fibers to be scratched and cut and generally show wear before it should. Over time this will not only affect the rugs appearance, but also its value.  


For more on oriental rug cleaning visit our website www.pearsoncarpetcare.com 


Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Myths About Oriental Rugs from Ellen Amirkhan

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are oriental rugs are identified only by design?

Design is only one of many components used to identify oriental rugs. We identify rugs by technical analysis that includes observation of the rug's materials, construction, dyes and design.

Do all oriental rugs appreciate in value?

Most post-World War II rugs do not appreciate in value, nor will most rugs purchased new today appreciate in value. Consumers most likely paid more for some rugs in the 50s, 60s and 70s than they are worth today.

Are all old rugs are worth a lot?

Age and condition are important when determining a rug's value. However, an old rug in poor condition is just an old rug. Also, an old rug in good condition may also be without value if it lacks artistic merit. Some old rugs are worth repairing and their value will increase with proper restoration.

Are Persian (Iranian) rugs are better than rugs from other countries?

Some older, traditional Persian rugs (pre-WWII), such as Ferahan Sarouk, Motashem Kashan, Tabriz, Bijar and Heriz tribal pieces, and other noteworthy examples will always have a market in the right conditions. Since the fall of the Shah of Iran in 1979 and the embargo on Persian goods in 1987 (lifted March 1999), other countries have improved and increased their output of rugs. The quality of Persian rugs since the 1960s has gradually deteriorated. It is my opinion that the quality will return slowly in smaller quantities and higher prices. They have a lot of catching up to do.

I've heard you should never clean or vacuum oriental rugs.

About 80% of soil in rugs is dry particulate matter. This dry matter acts as sandpaper against the wool fibers and wears out the rug. Also, because some rugs are thick, if they are not regularly vacuumed and cleaned, the soil will become so embedded that it is impossible to remove all of it. Beware of any rug seller who says a rug should not be cleaned. What they are really telling you is the rug will not withstand cleaning due to its condition, foundation painting, or some other hidden defect.

Is knot count is the best indication of value?

The value of only a few traditional Persian rugs is partially determined by knot count. Examples are Nain and Isfahan. The value of silk rugs is also partially based on knot count. New, mass-produced rugs from China, India and Pakistan come in a variety of qualities and designs. Generally speaking, the more knots per square inch, the higher the price per square foot. Once these mass-produced rugs are used, their value in the secondary market is not based on knot count.

The above article was taken from http://www.dallasrugcleaner.com/

Monday, October 26, 2009

Houston Rug Cleaners



In the video above the rug was actually cleaned by another cleaner about two weeks before the video was shot.  It is amazing how much soil these rugs can hold.  It should also be noted that trying to remove the dry soil with a vacuum cleaner will not be successful.  Wool fiber under a microscope looks like a Christmas tree.  So when soil gets into the rug it will go down but a large percentage of it will not come back up with vacuuming because of the characteristics of the wool fibers.  This is why it is way easier to flip a rug upside down and vibrate the dry soil loose then it is to vacuum it from the top.  This is also a good reason why rugs should always be cleaned in a rug cleaning plant and not at your home.  We can't transport the proper rug cleaning equipment to your home and set it up cost effectively.  After the video we still had to spend another 30-40 minutes getting the dry soil out of the rug.   For more information on rug cleaning visit our website or feel free to call us during business hours (Mon. - Fri. 8am - 5pm) at 281-548-7200.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Houston Rug Cleaners



When having a rug cleaned here are a few tips to making sure it is done properly.

While it is alright to clean carpet in a home it is generally not a good idea to have a rug professionally cleaned in your home. A rug needs special care that is different then carpet. An in-plant rug cleaning will always get your rug cleaner, then having it done in your home.

Removing the dry soil from a rug is critical. Sometimes it can take hours just removing the dry soil from the rug and doing that in home is generally not practical. To check and see if your rug has a lot of dry soil built up in it, flip over a corner of the rug and put one hand under it and then slap the back of the rug with the other hand. If a lot of grit and sand comes off in your hand then it is time to have your rug cleaned.

The colors on the rug should be tested with the cleaning solution that will be used for 12-24 hours before cleaning to make sure they are stable. Even if the rug will be cleaned with just water then it should be tested with water.


At this point the cleaner will determine the best way to clean the rug. Either by steam cleaning, bonnet cleaning, or immersion (washing the rug under water). By far the most thorough is immersion. However, not all rugs can be immersed. By washing or immersing a rug you can remove such contaminates as urine, food and beverage spills, get rid of odors, etc.

Then the rugs can be either hung to dry or laid flat to dry. Some rugs such as braided rugs should be dried flat so that the weight of the rug does not make the braids come apart. After the rug is dry then the fringe will be cleaned and a final grooming will need to be done.

Pearson Carpet Care also offers other services such as carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, upholstery cleaning, mattress cleaning and 24 Hour Emergency Water Extraction.  Pearson Carpet Care is a family owned and operated business. We offer free estimates before the work is performed and stand behind our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  We are an IICRC Certified Firm with Certified Technicians on every job. Kevin Pearson serves on three committees with the IICRC and is on the board of directors of our regional cleaning and restoration association the PCRA.  You can reach us at 281-548-7200 or on the internet at http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com/

Thursday, October 22, 2009

If you would like to drop your rugs off at our shop, you will save 25% off our normal cleaning price. Pearson Carpet Care 525 N. Houston Ave. Humble, TX 77338. Houston's Best Oriental Rug Cleaner.

October 15th 2009
Pictures from a fellow carpet cleaner
Here is some really good before and after pictures of how a professional carpet cleaning can really make a difference. The pictures are from Fred Gruber.
http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/slideshow/575102513VtkpEM Last edited: October 15th 2009 at 12:26pm
23454

posted at 10:38am in Commercial carpet cleaning Cimex Encapsulation houston carpet cleaning by prodrying
October 14th 2009
Oriental Rug Cleaning
Did you know... that you will get a 25% discount on our normal rug cleaning prices just by bringing your rugs to our office for cleaning and picking them up after cleaning? We are located at 525 N. Houston Ave. Humble, TX 77338. Call ahead for shop hours at 281-548-7200. There is a map and more details on our website http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com Last edited: Today at 9:41am
23348

posted at 7:00am in Houston Rug Cleaners Houston Rug Cleaning Oriental Rug Cleaners Houston by prodrying
October 13th 2009
Filtration Soiling
One of the most common issues we deal with is an issue called "filter fading" or "filtration soiling." Filter fading or filtration soiling is the name given to the accumulation of carpet soil found along the edges of wall to wall carpet, as well as under some doors and furniture. It is formed by air movement through the carpet at these different locations. Your carpet acts like your air conditioning filter does and traps the airborne soil. Over time these airborne soils will solidify, permanently staining the carpet. In some cases these soils can oxidize (bleach) the color from the carpet. Improvements to the appearance of the carpet can be made sometimes, but complete removal is often difficult or impossible.
For more information call Pearson Carpet Care at 281-548-7200 or visit our website at http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.comLast edited: October 13th 2009 at 2:36pm
23279

posted at 2:35pm in carpet cleaning houston texas water restoration filtration soiling Pearson Carpet Care by prodrying