Thursday, March 29, 2012

How to Choose a Carpet Cleaning Company… without getting ripped off

Do you need your carpet cleaned but you don’t know how to choose a carpet cleaning company? Before you hire a cleaner ask them a series of questions and see how well they fair. They may not be perfect but they should fair pretty well if they are reputable.

What kind of training does the company have for its technicians?
A reputable firm should require that employees receive training certification from organizations such as the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) and participate in continuing education programs that is separate from their “in house” training.

Does the company give free in-home written estimates before the job is performed?

A free in-home written estimate will let you know exactly how much you are going to spend before you call and make an appointment.

How many years has the company been in business under the same name?

A company that has been in business for years has to be doing something right, or else no one would call them back

What does a basic cleaning include?

A basic cleaning should include the pre-spot, additional spot removal, furniture moving, and cleaning of the carpet. You may then choose to pay extra for the carpet protector, spot dyeing, or repairs.

What type of cleaning method will be used?
The most preferred cleaning method by carpet manufacturers is hot water extraction or as some people call it “steam cleaning”.

What is your guarantee?
A reputable company will offer some sort of guarantee — usually they will come back once to try and rectify the problem and if that does not satisfy the customer they will refund their money.

What should I do before the cleaner arrives?

Before they arrive you should have all your breakable objects out of the way. Then the technicians should move around your furniture, clean under it, and set it back where it belongs on top of small pieces of Styrofoam or plastic tabs.

Lastly, ask your friends, relatives, and neighbors who they use and trust. This is probably the best way to find the perfect company for your needs.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

IICRC Board Votes to Return to Original Name

IICRC Board Votes to Return to Original name
Keeps cleantrust as the consumer-facing service mark

VANCOUVER, WA (February 17, 2012) - The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) announced today that the Board of Directors has voted to return the formal name of the organization to the IICRC, keeping cleantrust as the service mark of the organization. The full details surrounding the transition will be announced at the Certification Council on April 22, 2012.

“We’ve heard the feedback from registrants over the past few months and considered many options,” said IICRC Chairman Darrell Paulson. “Ultimately, the board has decided to use the IICRC as the main brand and use the cleantrust as a service mark. This allows us to honor the 40-year history of our organization, while also working to gain more awareness with end-users. We are still working through all of the details and we thank the inspection, cleaning and restoration community for their patience during this process.”

The IICRC will retain the use of the updated logo, which represents the strength and breadth of the organization. The shape reflects a globe, symbolizing the IICRC’s international status. And like the organization, the logo is made up of many different parts that are working together in a unified pattern, depicting an organization that is deep in knowledge.

“Together, this powerful brand combination of IICRC and the cleantrust, will enable us to constantly work towards our mission of identifying and promoting an international standard of care that establishes and maintains the health, safety and welfare of the built environment,” said Paulson.

Updated materials with the new IICRC logo and an updated design will gradually rollout in the coming months, including ID cards, brochures, introductory video and a new website.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Getting Paid by Guest Columnist John Howell of Grogan Clean Care Nacogdoches, Texas

When we think about work we have to think about how to express to the customer the cost of the services in question, how to give them an invoice once the work is done and how we expect to get paid.

The best way that I have come up with to actually talk to a customer is to offer to come look over the job in person for FREE. I know this may be hard to swallow at first, but customers who really are interested in letting you do the work for them are not just price shopping, they want to meet you and ask you questions to see if they even want you to come near their home.

Once the work is agreed upon it is important to let your customer know if there are any changes in the price different than the estimate and your expectation of the completed job. The only thing I can say here is to under promise and to over deliver.

Give an invoice as soon after the work is completed as possible. This does two things: it makes you and your customer go over the invoice immediately and you are less likely to forget the details of the job or even worse add work that you didn’t do. This might seem easy, but when the work is on and it’s from job to job to job for 8 hours a day even for a week trying to remember something you did on Monday on Friday is harder than you might think.

Collecting. It’s almost unbearable to think about. That is why “payment is due when services are rendered” signs are made. No one likes to hassle anyone for money especially when it’s been 3 months and you can barely remember the job anymore. Stay on top of receivables and those awkward phone conversations won’t be needed.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Pearson Carpet Care Receives Angie's List Award



Humble, TX - Pearson Carpet Care has been awarded the prestigious 2010 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

“Our Super Service Award winners are the cream of the crop when it comes to providing consistently high quality customer service, as judged by the customers who hired them,” said Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List. Angie's List is where consumers share their ratings and reviews on the local companies they hire. Members of Angie's List also check the list's more than 500 categories for highly rated companies before they hire. Company ratings are based strictly on feedback from members of Angie's List. Companies cannot pay to be on the list, nor can they put themselves on the list. Angie's List currently has more than 1 million members in 124major cities across the U.S.


Pearson Carpet Care is located in Humble, TX and specializes in cleaning rugs from all over the world, whether hand-woven or machine made. Pearson Carpet Care also does carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, upholstery cleaning and offers 24 hour emergency water extraction. Visit our website www.pearsoncarpetcare.com or call the world headquarters at 281-548-7200.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Rug Cleaning - The First Step

The most important part of rug cleaning is removing as much dry soil from the rug as possible before the cleaning actually begins. Here is a video of a rug we picked up to clean because the customer was not happy with the previous cleaner just 3 weeks before. The previous cleaner tried to clean it at the customers house in their driveway and did not even try to remove the dry soil. Don't let this happen to you. Bring your rugs to Pearson Carpet Care the first time.



http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com
http://www.prodrying.com

Thursday, February 2, 2012

February Newsletter - How to choose a Vacuum Cleaner

The Newsletter below is about how to choose a vacuum cleaner. It also includes a few tips on how to keep the one you got in good working condition. Vacuum cleaners can affect the indoor air quality when not functioning properly.

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Newsletter-from-Pearson-Carpet-Care.html?soid=1108504812581&aid=qeJRUvO6IeM

www.pearsoncarpetcare.com
www.prodrying.com

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Another Company's Drying vs. Pearson Carpet Care

So I got a call from an adjuster to meet him at a house that had a water loss 6 days ago. The loss started in the second floor bathroom. The toilet tank cracked in a 9 year old 3400 sf house and affected 3/4 of the house. The insured called someone they knew to dry it. The company brought out two dehumidifiers (only one was an LGR) and two fans. They cut out some plywood decking on the second floor, drilled holes in the plywood other places and had no moisture meters, even though it says water restoration on their van. They also had a yellow fan that had nails in the handle and one poked me pretty good is the only reason I noticed it. I am now drying the house with my equipment (4 dehus. and 19 fans) and so the other company came to pick up their equipment today. I asked the guy about why there were nails in the fans, he said so they could tack down the carpet when they put the fan under it. I still can't believe people dry (or attempt to dry) this way. Also he had a standard refrigerant on the job and the grains in the house were 42 so it wasn't working but he didn't know that. It was so low grains inside today because outside it is 15 grains today in Houston but to cold to dry with the windows open. Here is a slide show of the job. The red phoenix fans and phoenix dehus. are mine. The other equipment belonged to the other company.



http://www.prodrying.com
http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Rug Pad will extend the life our your rug




Christmas 2011 has brought many rugs to our rug cleaning plant. However, one of the things some people over look in the care of their rugs is the importance of rug pad. Here is a list of some of the reasons a rug pad is important.

1. Reduces wear.
2. Makes vacuuming easier.
3. Helps in reducing the impact of foot traffic across the rug, thus
increasing the life of the rug.

4. Helps keep your area rug laying flat and prevents the rug from moving.
5. Rug pad can also give you good non-slip protection on hard surface floors.
6. It can cushion the feel of a flat-weave rug.



Note: Never use tape or adhesive to secure your rug to the floor. This can cause damage to the rug and the floor.


Lastly, when you take your rugs in for cleaning don't forget about the pad. You shouldn't put down a clean rug over dirty pad. Either have your rug pad washed with your rug or simply buy new rug pad.


For more information on rug cleaning in the Houston area go to http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com/ Also visit our other site for all your dehumidification needs http://www.prodrying.com




Thursday, December 8, 2011

Water Damage and Your Carpet

When you have a water damage in your home there are so many questions most people have. So many things can get wet in your home from your sheetrock, baseboards, door jambs, cabinets, and of course your flooring. However, most people are only concerned about the carpet because it is something that you can see that is wet and most of the time you can't see when cabinets and walls are wet.

One of the first questions usually asked is, “What about my carpet?” With advancements in technology in recent years we are able to dry the carpet and pad in place. It is usually dry before the structure of the house is dry. To do this the water must have come from a fresh water supply line and we need to get to it within 24 hours in most cases. We have been drying the carpet and pad in place without pulling up the carpet at all now since 2003 and still we are one of the only companies in the City of Houston that is able to do this.

There are many advantages to being able to have the carpet and pad dried in place.

Less disruption to your life and home after drying is complete.
Cost is less than removing, disposing, and replacing pad.
Moving furniture is minimized.
No damage to carpet like happens when it is pulled up to remove the pad.
No damage to carpet from air movers being put under the carpet to dry it and them causing the carpet to slap against the tack strip and fray the edges.

Since carpet and pad are one of the most porous things in a structure and are generally the first things to get wet, then if you have the right equipment they should be one of the first things dry in the structure. As a water restoration professional, if I couldn't dry one of the most porous things in a structure how would I be able to dry something not so porous like walls, cabinets, or a wood floor. However, many water restoration companies are still using technology developed in the 1970's and will tell you that it is not possible to dry carpet and pad in place. This is simply not true and could cost you more time and money when using one of those companies.

Kevin Pearson is a Master Cleaning Technician with The Clean Trust and has been in the cleaning and restoration industry since 1992. Kevin is presently working on a committee to rewrite the carpet inspector standards in our industry and has previously served on the carpet cleaning standards revision committee. He also serves on two other committees at The Clean Trust and is on the Board of Directors of The Clean Trust since 2011 and on the Board of Directors of the Professional Cleaning and Restoration Alliance since 2004. For information Call Pearson Carpet Care at 281-548-7200 or visit our website at http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com.

Feel free to check out our drying equipment site at http://www.prodrying.com

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

How much soil can a wool rug hold?

Here is a video showing that a square foot of carpet or wool rug can hold one pound of dirt. In our rug cleaning plant we routinely run into rugs that have pounds and pounds of dry soil in them that needs to be removed before cleaning can occur. Even though this video is done with nylon carpet a wool rug will hold just as much dry soil and still look clean. If you would like to know more about our oriental rug cleaning plant in Houston, Texas visit our website at http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com/


Friday, November 18, 2011

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Snag in a Berber? What do I do?

If you get a run in your berber carpet, don’t just trim it. You will leave a very noticeable line where you can see the backing of your carpet. Instead try this simple solution.

Take a hot glue gun with clear glue and add a small drop of glue on the backing of the carpet where the loop of the berber was originally attached.  You should still be able to see some of the glue from the manufacturer on the spot where you will need to add the hot glue.  Then take a paperclip so not to get hot glue on your finger and press the carpet yarn into the backing of the carpet.  Repeat this process all the way down the run until it is all re-attached. Use the adjacent carpet yarn still attached from the factory as a guide for spacing and height.

If you are nervous about doing this then practice several times without using the glue, until you feel comfortable doing it.  Also, remember that a small amount of glue is all that is required and make sure not to get it on any surrounding fibers.   If you don't have a hot glue gun you can also use Elmer's Gorilla Glue.  I have used both in the past and either works well. If you do it right, it should be very hard to tell you repaired it unless you know where it is.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Rug Cleaning Done Right

Have you ever had a carpet cleaner that wanted to clean a rug in your home or office at the same time they were cleaning your carpet?  Seems like a good idea, initially.  However, there are some real good reasons why you should never have a carpet cleaner, clean a rug in your home or office.

While your favorite carpet cleaner might do a wonderful job cleaning your carpet, they simply can not clean a rug properly with the same chemicals and equipment used to clean your carpet. Chemicals made for cleaning synthetic wall-to-wall carpeting could damage a natural fiber rug. A professional rug cleaner will use chemicals that are safe for wool or other natural fibers. It would be impractical to bring the rug dusting and washing equipment that is necessary to properly clean a rug into a home environment. Also, many times it is necessary to test the colors in a rug for 24 hours to make sure they are stable. When cleaning a rug it is nearly impossible to remove pet odors from any rug without a full immersion cleaning. This can only be done in a rug cleaning plant. A wet wool rug could then take up to 24 hours to dry in a controlled environment. After the rug is cleaned and dried then the fringe will need to be cleaned and a final grooming done on the rug before it can go back to the customer.

If a rug is going to be stored for any length of time, it should be cleaned first. Never roll up and store a dirty rug. Rugs should be stored in a climate controlled environment and be wrapped in plain brown paper or in Tyvek. Never wrap a rug in plastic. Since wool can hold 30% of its weight in water and still feel dry to the touch, wrapping a rug in plastic would not allow the rug to breath. So condensation could form in the plastic and cause the rug to mold or dry rot.

It is also not a good idea to ever set a potted plant on top of a wool rug. This can cause permanent damage to a rug by over watering the plant or just by the humidity that is absorbed into the rug from the potted plant. This can result in color loss, mold, or dry rot.

About Kevin: Kevin Pearson is a Master Cleaning Technician with The Clean Trust and has been in the cleaning and restoration industry since 1992. Kevin was elected to the Board of Directors of The Clean Trust in 2011 and presently working on a committee to rewrite the carpet inspector standards in our industry and has previously served on the carpet cleaning standards revision committee. He also serves on two other committees at The Clean Trust and is on the Board of Directors of the Professional Cleaning and Restoration Alliance. He has also been featured on Fox News in Houston. For more information Call Pearson Carpet Care at 281-548-7200 or visit our website http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Carpet Freshening Powders

Having your carpet professionally cleaned can save you money versus trying to do it yourself. Think of it like this, by the time you rent a carpet extractor and factor in a dollar amount for your time and the fact that you may not know the chemistry involved in removing certain spots and stains, it could be a lot cheaper to let a professional clean your carpet properly rather than risk setting a stain or damaging the carpet. There is also a big difference in equipment from a small electric do-it-yourself machine to a van-powered carpet cleaning machine with a trained technician running it.


Professional cleaners use similar methods to home cleaning, but they should have the knowledge, equipment, training, and experience necessary to do a more thorough job of removing embedded soil. When selecting a cleaning service, look for an IICRC certified firm and an IICRC certified technician. Ask reputable carpet retailers in your area who they recommend. Friends and family that have used a particular cleaning service before may also be able to give you a good referral. Stay clear of cleaners offering ridiculously low advertised rates. Many times you will never get the low price or you will get a cleaner that will leave your carpet wet for days and might make it worse than it was before they arrived.

When the cleaner arrives at your home for the cleaning, it is a good idea to point out any spots and stains or areas that you would like to receive extra attention. Professional cleaners will have many different spot removers on their truck and should be able to remove lots of different types of spots. They should give you a firm price before they begin the work and you should not pay until you are satisfied with the job. Some cleaners might even give you a demonstration in the worst area before they begin with no further obligation. If you have never used the company before this would help ease your mind as to the quality of work they were going to do.

Regular and thorough vacuuming can remove over 70% of all dry soil that is in the carpet fibers, thus keeping their appearance good and extending their life. For the most soil removal use an upright vacuum cleaner with a beater bar. Most carpeted areas in a home need to be vacuumed once a week, maybe more. Vacuum using several slow strokes over the same area then go over the same area from different angles. When carpet is not vacuumed regularly, the dry soil from shoes, crumbs, etc. may stay on the surface of the carpet for a short time before working their way down into the carpet where it can scratch and abrade the carpet fibers.

Room size rugs should always be sent to a specialty rug cleaning plant. An area or oriental rug should not be cleaned in your home. Rugs can be expensive and sometimes delicate, so it's important to have them maintained properly to protect your investment. To clean a rug properly involves many steps and specialized equipment that can not be transported to your home. A professional rug cleaner will check for dye stability of the colors in the rug and advise you as to any issues they foresee before cleaning the rug. They might also offer a discount if you bring your rug to them for cleaning rather than them picking the rug up.

Did you know that a rug can hold nearly a pound of dry dirt per square foot and still look clean. An 8x10 rug could hold nearly 80 pounds of dry dirt. So, to check and see whether or not your rug is dirty, pick up a corner of the rug and while holding it with one hand, hit the back of the rug sharply with the other hand. If a cloud of dirt flies out of the pile, the rug is dirty and needs to be cleaned. You could also take a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar and with the rug face down on a hard surface turn on the vacuum and leave it in one spot for 8-10 seconds. Then flip back the rug and if there is some dirt on the floor beneath it then it is time to clean the rug.

A professional rug cleaner can also dry a rug thoroughly after cleaning. A wool rug can hold 30% of its weight in water and still feel dry to the touch so it is important to make sure the rug is dry before putting it back down on a wood floor.

So think twice before deciding to clean your carpet or rugs yourself. There are many tools and tricks professional cleaners know that will result in your carpet or rugs being cleaner and lasting longer than if you did the cleaning yourself.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Tea Washed Oriental Rugs

Tea Washed Oriental Rugs


Oriental Rugs sell better when they look older so for over 100 years the trade has tried a wide range of tricks to “age” rugs. One trick popular at the turn of the 21st century was Tea Wash. New rugs were stained with tea or henna to dull the brashness of a new rug making it appear older to the untrained eye. There is no consistent formula for tea wash but at first it was usually tea or henna. Both tea and henna are more stains than dyes since neither is particularly colorfast.

The dye instability led to some problems for Rug Cleaners. When washed these rugs would often lose color. Particularly when treated for stains or traffic lanes color loss was inconsistent giving the rug a splotchy look. This of course left untreated would cause customers to complain that the Rug Washer ruined their rug,

The Tea Wash problem is aggravated by a shift in the market. Dealers faced with used rugs with color loss or damage particularly from urine stains would Tea Wash the rugs to hide the damage. On cleaning previously hidden stains and areas of color loss could once again become very noticeable. The customer would often think the old damage was new and a result of the cleaning.

Because the tea wash could be applied to a new rug in perfect condition or to an older rug with varying degrees of damage Rug washers are faced with a difficult task in the pre-inspection of rugs entering their plant. Cleaners need to look for an overall brown or red brown stain. Customers should be informed that the stain may lighten in the cleaning process and restaining may be necessary. The cleaner should look for areas of old staining or damage that the tea wash may be hiding and inform the customer of the preexisting condition.

Once the rug is cleaned by whatever method is appropriate then the cleaner can assess the condition of the tea wash. If it has lightened or if there is inconsistent color then the cleaner should apply tea wash. Stable long lasting tea washes can be obtained at most suppliers. Success with tea wash involves educating yourself as well as educating and informing your customers.

Barry O’Connell is an independent scholar who has studied Oriental Rugs in the United States as well as Iran and the Middle East. O’Connell is best known for his websites including http://www.spongobongo.com/ and http://www.persiancarpetguide.com/
If you are interested in rugs and would like to know more about their value, how to care for them, etc. Then here are some other blogs and sites to follow.

http://oriental-rug-cleaning.blogspot.com/2011/10/rug-care-simplified-by-kevin-pearson.html

http://www.orientalrugtalk.com/forums/content.php?212-Rug-Care-Simplified-by-Kevin-Pearson

These sites are run by Barry O'Connell and he has probably forgotten more about rugs then I will ever know. He also has http://www.spongobongo.com/.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Rug Cleaning LIVE

Some people have webcams that watch their pets, their kids, a beach somewhere, but at Pearson Carpet Care we have a webcam set up over our rug cleaning plant so you can watch us clean rugs, "LIVE."  If you ever wondered what happens to your rug while in our plant you can now follow it yourself.  Just go to http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com/ to see the webcam.  We also give you 25% off our pick up and delivery price when you bring your rugs in to our shop for cleaning.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Kevin Pearson Elected To Board of Directors of "The Clean Trust"

The Clean Trust Elects 2011-2012 Board of Directors

Darrell Paulson Elected Chairman of the Board

VANCOUVER, WA (October 17, 2011) - The Clean Trust (formerly The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) announced today the election of the 2011-2012 board of directors and executive committee during its mid-October meeting in Vancouver, WA.

As part of the restructuring of the board of directors approved at the April 2011 shareholders meeting, board members will now be elected on a rotating basis, with a three year term. Additionally, it was determined that the board would be limited to 15 members to create and sustain strategic governance and achieve organizational excellence.

“In the strategic plan the organization adopted last April, we outlined the organization’s goals for governance moving forward. The new board structure is a result of The Clean Trust working to accomplish these goals,” said newly elected Chairman Darrell Paulson.

New board members were elected to serve a one, two or three year term to start the rotation of terms. Elected board members for the coming year are:

Serving one year: Graham Bedwell, The Rouse Company, Dan Mabesoone, MasterCare Corp; Norman Maia, MFT National Cleaning Services, Inc.; Darrell Paulson, Advanced Restoration Specialist; and, Tony Wheelwright (retired).

Serving two years: John Downey, Downey’s Carpet Care of Granville; Pete Duncanson, ServiceMaster Clean; Lonnie McDonald, Textile Care Group Companies; Kevin Pearson, Pearson Carpet Care; and William Weigand, Legend Brands.

Serving three years: Craig Jasper, Cleaning and Restoration Institute; David Keiter, Yellow Van Cleaning Services; Patrick Moffett, Environmental Consulting Management & Engineering; Rodney Paulson, A1 Carpet Care; and, Hendrik (Hank) Unck (retired).

Darrell Paulson was elected Chairman of The Clean Trust board of directors. In this capacity, Paulson will also serve as Chairman of the executive committee. Additional executive committee officers elected during the meeting were: Craig Jasper, First Vice President; Pete Duncanson, Second Vice President; Tony Wheelwright, International Vice President and Chairman of the Certification Council; Lonnie McDonald, Treasurer; Dan Mabesoone, Secretary; and Paul Pearce, Immediate Past Chairman. Patrick Winters will continue to serve as The Clean Trust President and CEO.
“The Clean Trust thanks all outgoing board members for their years of service and helping set the organization on a strong path forward. Without their input and decisions, we would not be in the position of strength that we are today,” said Paulson. “We look forward to their continued involvement in The Clean Trust as the passion for their work is unmatched.”

For more information, please contact The Clean Trust headquarters at (360) 693-5675.

About The Clean Trust

The Clean Trust, formally known as The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), is an industry certifying body and an ANSI-accredited standards developer organization for the flooring inspection, floor covering and specialized fabric cleaning and disaster restoration industries. Organized in 1972, The Clean Trust currently represents more than 5,700 Certified Firms and 54,000 Certified Technicians in 22 countries. The Clean Trust, with participation from the entire industry, develop standards for inspection, cleaning and disaster restoration. The Clean Trust does not own schools, employ instructors, produce training materials, or promote specific product brands, cleaning methods or systems. It approves schools and instructors that meet the criteria established by The Clean Trust. The Clean Trust also serves as a consumer referral source for Certified Firms and Inspectors.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Allergy sufferers and carpet

Have you ever said, "I am going to get rid of this carpet because I have allergies." The whole time thinking that the carpet in your home was contributing to your allergy symptoms.

Did you know that there have been several studies showing that carpet in your home, will trap allergens and keep them out of your breathing zone better than a hard surface floor? One study in particular done in Sweden shows that while carpet sales went from 40% of all floor coverings sold in 1975 to just 2% in 1992, allergies did not improve. In fact, reported allergic reactions rose dramatically from less than 1 million people in 1975 to more than 3 million in 1992.

The study along with others can be found at the Carpet and Rug Institute's website.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Tips for Keeping Your Car Clean

There’s nothing worse than buying a new car and realizing a couple of weeks later it is already filthy. Food and drinks get spilt, the dog rides with you, kids are sweaty when getting picked up from ball practice and then bam your car is dirty. By maintaining the appearance of the vehicle inside as well as out, you retain the value of the car, which will help you when it’s time to trade it in. Here’s a few tips on cleaning up your car.

1. Dilute coffee spills immediately with water and blot with a clean white terry cloth rag. If a stain remains after the spot dries, spray on a glass cleaner. Soak the area with the glass cleaner, allow to sit for five minutes, and blot. Glass cleaner cleans without leaving the soapy residue that most carpet spot removers do, which only attracts more dirt afterward. Glass cleaner is normally effective on even the most difficult stains. However, do not try this on your home carpet. Since most car carpet is olefin and can stand up to most anything it is ok to use it there, but most in home carpet is nylon and it will not work the same.

2. Hairspray will lift out pen ink stains on carpeting or upholstery. Spray the hairspray on the ink spot and blot with a rag or extract with a shop vac.

3. If carpeting begins to smell, sprinkle on 20-Mule Team Borax generously, then let it sit undisturbed for an hour before vacuuming up both dirt and unpleasant smells. If your dog rides with you a lot and you have fleas in your car, then put a second application of 20-Mule Team Borax on and leave it over night before vacuuming thoroughly and it will kill the fleas and their eggs.

4. Before your vehicle carpets begin to show excessive wear and tear, vacuum them just as you would at home. This will lift the fibers back upright and counteract the long-term ill effects of the dirt that’s been pounded into it. Since over 70% of soil in carpet is dry soil, vacuuming is the best thing you can do for any carpet to prolong the life.

5. If you get shocked a lot getting out of your car there are several things you can do. You can wear an anti-static wrist band, rub the upholstery and carpet of your car with a dryer sheet, use an anti-static laundry spray or touch the metal on the door of the car with a key before you get out. However, these are mostly temporary fixes. So if the problem is bad enough you can go to your mechanic (Beckwith’s Car Care) and get a grounding strap installed. Also, getting new tires on your car can eliminate you getting shocked when getting out of your car.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Spill the Wine, Clean That Rug?

Spill the Wine, Clean That Rug?

10 Ways Organizing Saves You Money

Here are 10 ways that cut to the chase on organizing and saving money. 
1.                  You won’t need to buy things you already have. You won’t have to run to Walgreens to buy your kids index cards or school supplies.
2.                  You find money in your pockets – lots of it! We found $15,000 in a bin of papers!  We have found some money in every home where I work. 
3.                  You get reverse income by donating and using itsdeductibleonline.com. Make a list of what you donate and create a spreadsheet.  Each time you donate usually adds up to $500 for tax deductions.
4.                  Your emotional and physical health improves so fewer doctors’ visits.  There are tons of allergens in paper piles, especially dust mites!
5.                  You prioritize saving money in keeping receipts in one place so you can review them, know what you spent money on, and know where you can spend less.
6.                  You clip coupons and save money every time you are at the grocery or drugstore. Some families spend only $20 on groceries a week with coupons.
7.                  You keep on top of home repair and other tasks. Prevent big expenditures by routine upkeep of your home and car.  Regular maintenance of your home and car mean you can make more money on the resale.
8.                  You save money on the utilities in your home.  Being organized about your laundry means consistently filling the tub, washing the dished regularly with a full load and saving on heating/cooling costs by setting the temp at a consistent level.
9.                  You keep your purchases to a minimum. Being organized means buying what you need, when you need it, rather than compulsive and chaotic shopping.
10.             Everyone knows saving time is saving money.  You can be more efficient and effective at everything you do by being organized!
Not sure how to start getting organized? To learn techniques, tools and tips to declutter, simplify and create organizing routines, visit www.professional-organizer.com or join me on Facebook at the business page Professional-Organizer.com,\.
 
Certified Professional Organizer and Family Manager Coach Ellen Delap is the owner of Professional-Organizer.com.  Since 2000, she has worked one on one with her clients in their home and offices streamlining their environment, creating effective strategies for an organized lifestyle and help prioritize organization in their daily routine.  She holds ADD and Chronic Disorganization certificates and specializes in working with ADD and ADHD adults and students.  Ellen has been featured at The Woodlands (Texas) Home and Garden Show, on ABC13 Houston, in the Houston Chronicle and is an Expert on The Clutter Diet, an online organizing resource. To learn more about her and her work,  visit www.professional-organizer.com, tweet her @TexasOrganizer or become a fan on her Facebook Fan Page Professional-Organizer.com. 

Monday, December 20, 2010

Pearson Carpet Care makes connection with customers

Pearson Carpet Care Makes Connections with Customers


“Since the recession started, we have seen a lot of companies, big and small, close their doors,” says Kevin Pearson, president of Pearson Carpet Care.

“We at Pearson Carpet Care, however, chose not to participate.”

The company promoted itself when others cut back, keeping its name in the front of customers’ minds.

“We not only increased our advertising and involvement in our community but also looked for different ways to reach out to potential clients and implemented new ways to keep our existing clients coming back.”

Pearson understands the power of forming a connection with the customers.

“For years, we have sent out thank-you cards to our clients. But this year, we also added hand-written notes and reminder cards with the message, ‘It’s been a year since our last visit,’ too. We feel the personal touch is very important, and when time allows, we also visit one-on-one with clients we haven’t seen for a while.

“Many carpet cleaners today don’t take the time to build relationships with their clients. Their schedules are typically so full; they don’t have time for anything but doing the job at hand and moving on to the next. We want to do the job right the first time and have our clients refer their friends, relatives and business associates, too.”

The company has created an interesting way to keep the customer involved.

“We try to take advantage of every opportunity that keeps our name in the news, such as press releases, articles and even teaching a few cleaning related seminars. I have always liked doing things a little differently than most companies. That’s why, about three years ago, I put a webcam on my website overlooking our oriental rug cleaning plant. This allows our clients to watch as their rugs are being cleaned, live. This has helped us grow from a small rug cleaning facility to a large cleaning service business over the last three years.”

Education is key in the company. Pearson himself is presently working on a committee to rewrite the carpet inspector standards and has previously served on the carpet cleaning standards revision committee. He also serves on two other committees at the IICRC and is on the Board of Directors of the Professional Cleaning and Restoration Alliance.

"Our concentration has been directed mostly on training our employees to take a few minutes on every job to get to know the client,” says Pearson. “We want to find out why they are having their carpets cleaned and make sure we solve their issues. So many people call us for various reasons, and we want to spend ample time listening to the client and understanding their needs.”

The company uses every little detail as a chance to make a big impact.

“Doing the little things is what will impress your client to keep them coming back and referring you to others, too. When we place our own mat at the front door, roll up their oriental rug before bringing out the hose, arrive on time, or even drive a clean truck, are all things people really notice. So we are always trying to impress the client in ways our competitors don’t.”

For more information, visit www.pearsoncarpetcare.com.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Something Pearson Carpet Care Does NOT Do

Something we don't do at Pearson Carpet Care is dump the waste water out of our cleaning trucks down the storm sewer.  Here is a story of a cleaner who did and the consequences he now faces.  The problem is while his chemicals may be "green" the dirt, pesticides, debris and other things pulled out of the carpet may not be.  Also, some green chemicals may still promote algae growth in lakes, rivers, and streams which is detrimental to the fish population.

We safely dispose of the waste water we collect back at our shop down the sanitary sewer.   Another great reason to call Pearson Carpet Care if you want the job done right.


Wednesday, December 1, 2010

My youngest daughter on the front page of the newspaper

My youngest daughter Amy, sister Kerri, and niece Makenzie are on the front page of the Tribune today.  Here's the article.

Kevin Pearson
http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com

My daughter on Kingwood.com

My daughter Emily is on the front page of Kingwood.com here is the story. http://www.kingwood.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=2593

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Organizing your Office by Ellen Delap owner of Professional-Organizer.com

Are you drowning in paper at work? Is your space littered with too many empty mugs or hand cream?  Do you feel disconnected, unproductive and disorganized? Do you feel it reflects on you professionally ?  Embrace your inner minimalist! 
Create a vision of who you are and your professional performance with the décor in your space.  Define what clarity looks like in your environment. Think of colors that are a reflection of your style.  Keep minimal personal photos and knick knacks.   Think through the books, the art, and even the awards you have placed in your office.  In creating this vision you can make a list of adjectives you want to embody as you change this space. 
Many companies have an existing record retention policy stating how long to keep paper records.  But sometimes we can create rules for what you will keep and how long you will keep it if it is a rough draft, old budgets, or even a former employees previous paper.   If you do keep the paper, decide if a notebook or file is a better location for you to find the information.   Know  what to keep and where to keep it! Create files for papers that are reference.   The only paper that is on your desk is something you use all the time. Other paper can be easily accessed in your desk file drawer or credenza.  Those files can be categorized by clients, administrative, financial and project.  This is easier to access than alphabetical and easier to maintain as well. 
Take time to maintain your minimalist style.  Start and end the day with routines that reflect this.   Bring your one mug to and from work in your professional looking bag.  End the day with picking up the paper and replacing it in your project slots.   Being decisive and definite about your style makes maintenance that much easier!
 What does your office say to you?
Certified Professional Organizer and Family Manager Coach Ellen Delap is the owner of Professional-Organizer.com.  Since 2000, she has worked one on one with her clients in their home and offices streamlining their environment, creating effective strategies for an organized lifestyle and help prioritize organization in their daily routine.  She holds ADD and Chronic Disorganization certificates and specializes in working with ADD and ADHD adults and students.  Ellen has been featured at The Woodlands Home and Garden Show, on ABC13 Houston, in the Houston Chronicle and regularly contributes to national blogs and publications. To learn more about her and her work,  visit www.professional-organizer.com, tweet her @TexasOrganizer or become a fan on her Facebook Fan Page Professional-Organizer.com.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Choosing a Carpet Cleaning Company

Choosing A Carpet Cleaning Company

This also goes for rug cleaners, tile cleaners, and just about any other service 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 carpet cleaning 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 Clean Trust formerly known 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.

Is the company you hire certified? They should be a Certified Firm with an organization like The Clean Trust.

Is the technician at your house certified? Each individual technician should also be certified. Most quality technicians are certified in multiply areas (i.e., carpet, upholstery, tile and grout, odor, color repair, carpet repair, and more)

Do the Certifications the technician holds match the work that is being performed in your home? It is great if the technician is certified in carpet cleaning, but if you want your tile and grout cleaned also then at least one of the technician performing that service should be certified in that area.

Do they guarantee their work? This is important because even with a reputable company sometimes a spot will come back as it dries and you want to make sure they will come back out and make it right if there is a problem.

How quickly will the carpets be dry? A company with good equipment should have the carpet dry in 4-6 hours or less after they are done cleaning.

Can they reapply the stain protection? This should be done at the end of the job using a separate sprayer and then brushed in to insure even distribution.

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? Preferrably ones close by your house.

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 Clean Trust and has been in the industry since 1992. Kevin was elected to the Board of Directors of The Clean Trust in October 2011 and has previously worked on the committee to rewrite the carpet cleaning standards in the industry and is currently working on the committee that is writting the standards for carpet inspectors. Kevin also serves on the Board of Directors of the PCRA (Professional Cleaning and Restoration Alliance). For information Call Pearson Carpet Care at 281-548-7200 or visit our website at http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com or our drying equipment website at http://www.prodrying.com

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

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

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.
oriental rug 
cleaning
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 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.

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/