Carpet Cleaning and Allergy Control

Clean carpet traps dust, pet dander, allergens, and other fine particulates out of the air we breathe.  This means what falls on the carpet tends to stay trapped in the carpet until it is removed through either vacuuming or extraction carpet cleaning.  Hard surface floors, such as tile and wood allow dust and allergens to re-circulate into the breathing zone easily.  However, properly maintained carpet actually contributes to improved air quality.  Properly maintaining carpets includes vacuuming thoroughly and having your carpet cleaned by a professional carpet cleaning company periodically.   Independent testing compared the distribution of airborne particulates associated with normal activities on hard and soft flooring surfaces.  A 2002 study by the Professional Testing Laboratory Inc. in Dalton, GA., shows that walking on hard surface floors disturbs more particles than walking on a carpeted surface will.  The carpet surfaces trapped more particles so that walking disturbs fewer particles, resulting is less dust in the breathing zone of children and adults.  In addition to trapping airborne particulates, carpet can insulate, absorb sound, and help prevent slips, falls, and other injuries that are typical on hard surface floors.  A summary of this study can be found on the Carpet and Rug Instittute's (CRI) website.  So keep this in mind, if carpets are dirty, not only will they not trap dust, dirt, and other allergens properly, they won't last as long as carpet that is properly maintained with a professional carpet cleaning company.

How often should I clean my carpet?

How often should I clean my carpet?

Here's an article I just posted on my website.  There are plenty of other articles on there too. 

How to tell when to have your rugs cleaned?

How to tell when to have your rugs cleaned?

Rugs, whether wool or synthetic, are often overlooked when it comes to having them cleaned regularly.  Usually they don't get cleaned until they are full of soil or other contaminates.  How do you tell, though, when your rugs need cleaning?

One thing you can do is to flip the rug over on a smooth hard surface.  Then take a vacuum cleaner with a brush bar and place it on the back of the rug and turn it on.  Do not move the vacuum cleaner and leave it in one place for 8 - 10 seconds.  When you are done then flip over the rug and look on the hard surface to see if there is some soil where you had the vacuum cleaner.  If there is then it is time to have your rug cleaned by a professional rug cleaner.  

If your rug is too big and heavy to be flipping it over then here is another method to try.  Pick up a corner of the rug,  slap the back of the rug with your other hand and watch the front side of the rug to see if soil is coming out as you slap the back of the rug.  This method is a little more difficult to actually determine how much soil is coming out of the rug, but if you see soil coming out with this method then you need to have the rug cleaned.  

Hopefully, this will help you determine when it is time to have your rugs cleaned. 

Curious as to Why We Have an Oriental Rug Cleaning Webcam

Curious as to Why We Have an Oriental Rug Cleaning Webcam

New Rug Cleaning Webcam

Well many of you know about our "LIVE" webcam that overlooks our rug cleaning operation here at The World Headquarters of Pearson Carpet Care.  For close to 5 years now we have had this up and running and you can watch us clean rugs or watch whatever else we are doing (which frankly can be way more interesting than rug cleaning).   After many years of loyal service the original webcam finally bit the dust and so it was time for a new one.  So that's right, the new webcam is HD.  It also has a wider viewing area and should enhance the experience quite a bit. 

Now if there was such a thing as smell o vision then we would really have something.  Until then you will just have to settle for an HD quality webcam.

Water Damage on an Oriental Rug

Water Damage on an Oriental Rug


The beauty of an Oriental rug can be destroyed forever if proper care is not taken to protect the rug from long term exposure to water.  Most varieties of Oriental rugs have a  wool pile and these rugs can be cleaned and dried thoroughly by an oriental rug cleaner and never have any problems.  Sometimes you may have some unstable colors to deal with but if the rug is being cleaned by a knowledgeable rug cleaner they should be able to control that in their wash process.  So the normal cleaning and washing process does not harm a rug, however here are some instances in which water could harm your rugs.
Many rugs have cotton warp and wefts.  The warps run from end to end on the rug and are what make up the fringe of a hand knotted rug.  The warps are also what the knots are tied to creating the pile. The weft runs over and under the warps and between rows of knots.   This gives the rug strength from side to side. This cotton foundation can be weakened, and sometimes actually rotted, if the rug stays wet for an extended period of time without being properly dried.
In our oriental rug cleaning plant, we commonly see such damage from potted plants being placed directly on a rug. When the plant is watered either the pot leaks or the plant is over watered and some drains out the bottom of the pot and the rug under the pot stays permanently damp. Within a couple of weeks the foundation of the rug can become so weak that chunks of the rugs pile can be torn from the area by hand.  If you put a potted plant on or near a rug, put it on a stool, or something that is up off the rug.  This will let you see under the pot and make sure the rug stays dry as well as allowing for ventilation.
Another form of water damage would be caused by using a rug directly over a damp concrete floor. Even though the concrete floor is not noticeably wet to the touch, there can be enough moisture to allow the warp and wefts to degrade.  A concrete slab sitting on the ground will naturally have water vapor coming up through it.  If a rug is laid directly on the concrete, then the rug can absorb the water vapor coming out of the concrete.  Over time this will affect strength of the rug's foundation. A rug that has this kind of damage will often feel peculiarly stiff when moving it around. The rug could be so stiff it would make it difficult to roll.  A rug with this kind of damage will also have cracking and popping noises when the rug is creased or folded.  This noise is actually the warp and weft fibers breaking.  As a note, rugs placed on top of tile, wood, or even carpet do not generally have these problems.
The good news with any of these damaged rugs is that an experienced rug repair person can reweave the dry rotted or damaged areas of your rug, thus allowing you to be able to continue to enjoy your rug for years. 

IICRC announces new Standard and Reference Guide

In a May 8 press release the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) announced the ‘formation of consensus bodies for the development of a new BSR-IICRC S210 Standard and Reference Guide on Dimensional Stone Maintenance and Restoration and the revision of IICRC S300 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Upholstery Cleaning.’
“As new materials and processes are introduced into our industry, we remain committed to ensuring the IICRC’s standards provide credible, up-to-date information,” said Mili Washington, IICRC standards director. “Through the development of the S210 standard, we are upholding our promise to the industry to establish an international standard of care and provide our registrants with a knowledgeable industry voice and resource.”
‘The consensus bodies will meet approximately two times per year, with most of the work being completed online and via conference calls. The new BSR-IICRC S210 standard will encompass the initial, routine, periodic and restorative maintenance methodologies for dimensional stone flooring and fabrication and is set to be completed in approximately 36 months.’
And ‘the updated IICRC S300 standard for professional upholstery cleaning is set to be completed in approximately 24 months.’
Those interested in submitting an application to participate on the BSR-IICRC S210 or IICRC S300 consensus bodies, please contact Mili Washington at mili@iicrc.org
www.iicrc.org

Name the mascot

We have a new mascot at the World Headquarters of Pearson Carpet Care and he needs a name. So reply on our facebook page with your best name and the name we choose will receive a $75.00 Gift Certificate good for any one of our cleaning services. You need to hurry though the contest will end Friday May 11.

www.pearsoncarpetcare.com

www.prodrying.com

Video Drawing of Company Logo

This is a short 24 second video or a drawing of our company logo.

Pearson_Carpet_Care_Rick.wmv

This is amazing.  People from all over the world know about our rug cleaning plant.

The Drying Log: Insurance companies could save millions with one c...

The Drying Log: Insurance companies could save millions with one c...: For years I have been talking about how insurance companies could save a lot of money.  Usually they try to do this at the cost of contracto...

The Drying Log: Special Limited Time Offer - FREE Air Mover ProDry...

The Drying Log: Special Limited Time Offer - FREE Air Mover ProDry...: This is a great offer.  If you are in the market for dehumidifiers right now then you can't pass this offer up.  FREE Air Mover with the pur...

Should I Seal My Tile and Grout

Having been in the tile and grout cleaning business since 1992, one of the more common questions I get is, "Should I seal my tile and grout after cleaning"?  Sometimes its a new installation and the question is still the same.  Sealing your tile and grout provides a layer of protection against spills, stains and water penetration into your grout joints. 

New grout requires a curing time of 72 hours before applying a sealer, so the grout will be dry before applying. After cleaning the tile and grout, you will only need to wait a few hours before sealing.  When sealing, it is important to know what you are sealing.  Do you have ceramic tile, porcelain tile, or a natural stone.  Depending on your tiles you could need different types of sealer.  With a ceramic or porcelain tile you will not be concerned about sealing those tiles, just the grout.  Those tiles would not be very porous and so you would just want a grout sealer.  On a natural stone such as limestone, travertine, marble, or granite you would need to seal the tile and the grout and would need a sealer for that particular stone. 

When choosing a sealer there are many choices, but generally the better ones are found at specialty stores and not a big box store.  I would look for one that will not leave a haze on ceramic or porcelain if a little bit gets on the tile while applying.  A lot of sealers come with an applicator bottle where you just run the applicator down the grout lines.  However, this can be very tedious work.  I would suggest looking for some sealers that are applied with an aerosol can.  You can actually stand up with these sealers while applying and the length of time to apply them is drastically less.

It should also be noted that once you seal your tile and grout it doesn't mean that it is sealed forever.  You should reapply the sealer every year or two to keep your protection up.  Sealers will wear off with time, cleaning, spills,etc.  This way you can enjoy your tile and grout for years to come.

Rug Cleaning after a fire

It is truly an unpleasant and unwanted situation if you have a fire in your home.  Everything can be lost very quickly.  A customer of ours had this happen recently.  He was then told that all of his 30+ hand made rugs were ruined.  Yes they were wet and covered in debris but most of them did not actually catch on fire.
Luckily, our customer did not listen to his original advice and called to ask about our rug cleaning services.  These rugs cleaned up beautifully and will be able to be used and enjoyed for years to come.
So if we can clean a bunch of rugs with soot all over them imagine what we can do for your rugs.

Below is pictures of the rug being cleaned in our oriental rug cleaning plant.

Rug Cleaning Houston

Cleaning rugs after a fire

Oriental rug cleaning

Get the Rug Cleaners Houston App for Android

All Android users can now have the Pearson Carpet Care app on their phone.  This is a great way to have us handy when you need us.  Just search for rug cleaners houston in the android market.  The app will take you to our website.

www.pearsoncarpetcare.com

www.prodrying.com

Choosing A Vacuum Cleaner

Are you in the market for a vacuum cleaner? Since vacuuming can remove 70% of all the dry soil in carpet, then choosing a good vacuum cleaner is essential for day to day maintenance in between professional carpet cleanings.  With the proper choice this vacuum could last you for years.  Here is a few suggestions of things to look for and research to do before you buy that new vacuum.

When choosing a vacuum for your home it is important to look for an upright, dual-motor vacuum. One motor for the vacuum suction and one for the brush roller. This way the power of one motor is not split amongst two jobs.  Next the vacuum needs to have a high-efficiency filtration system.  This way the dry soil you vacuum out will not be blown back through the area.  For stairs, a backpack or canister vacuum would be better suited for this job. Although an upright vacuum with a hose and attachments could also be used for stairs.

A great place to start looking for a vacuum cleaner is the Carpet and Rug Institute's (CRI) Seal of Approval list. The vacuums listed here have been tested by an independent, certified laboratory and have met minimum standards for cleaning efficiency. This should help you further narrow down your choices.  Then you might need to go a retailer that will carry many of the vacuums on the CRI list.  This way you can try them and see how easy they are to use.

Once you have choosen your vacuum cleaner it is important to keep it in good working order so that when you use it, it is actually working.  Periodically you should clean the brush roller and make sure it is free of debris. You should also check to see that the belt is in good condition.  Also never let the bag or canister get more than 3/4 full.  If that does happen, the efficiency of the vacuum is greatly reduced. If your vacuum has a hose attachment, then make sure there are no obstructions in the hose.  Doing a few minutes of maintenance periodically will keep your vacuum looking and running like new for years.

Kevin Pearson is a Master Cleaning Technician #19267 with the IICRC and has been in the cleaning and restoration industry since 1992. He is on the Board of Directors of the IICRC and the Professional Cleaning and Restoration Alliance. For information Call Pearson Carpet Care at 281-548-7200 or visit our website at www.pearsoncarpetcare.com.

What is the black line at my baseboards?

One of the most common issues we deal with as professional carpet cleaners 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 a filter and traps the soil from the air. Over time these soils can solidify, permanently staining the carpet. In some cases these soils can oxidize (bleach) the color from the carpet. We see this happen at the base of walls, on stair cases, around furniture, and under doors that stay closed alot. Some houses seem to be more prone to it then other houses. While it is more noticeable on light colored carpet it can still occur on a darker colored carpet, it just may be less noticeable.

It can also be found around walls that are common to a return air plenum. If this is the case and you look inside the return air behind the filter and you see studs here is what you do. Take some sheetrock or plywood and cover the studs on the walls. Then take some caulking and seal all the joints well. This will force all the air coming in the return to go through the filter. Now you can clean the carpet around the walls and it should not occur again in this area.

Complete removal can be difficult or impossible if the problem has been occurring over a long period of time. However, if it is caught early enough it can usually be removed by a reputable carpet cleaning company. The bad news is that a cleaning may take care of it now but unless you correct what is causing it to occur then it will come back.

The best thing to do to minimize this is to vacuum these areas often and have your carpet cleaned often. This is the best way to stay on top of it. If you are replacing your carpet with new carpet and do not want to have the same issues, then after the old carpet is removed you can caulk the area between the subfloor and the bottom of the wall. This will prevent air from being pulled through the carpet fibers up into the wall. Then the soil will not accumulate there. However, it will not prevent it from occuring under doors or furniture.

Kevin Pearson is a Master Cleaning Technician #19267 with the IICRC and has been in the cleaning and restoration industry since 1992. Kevin has worked on the committee that rewrote the carpet cleaning standards and the standard for carpet inspectors. He also serves on two other committees at the IICRC and is on the Board of Directors of the IICRC and the Professional Cleaning and Restoration Alliance. For information Call Pearson Carpet Care at 281-548-7200 or visit our website at www.pearsoncarpetcare.com.

Healthy Air and Clean Carpet

Did you know that there are several studies out that show that a clean carpet is better for you if you have allergies and other breathing conditions than a hard surface floor?

Here's why. A clean carpet can trap dust, dirt, and pollutants in the fibers and prevent them from kicking kicked up into your breathing zone. This is a good reason to have your carpets maintained properly. Proper maintainence of your carpet includes vacuuming and periodic carpet cleaning.

Vacuuming is probably the single best thing you can do to extend the life of your carpet. Since 70% of all soil in carpet is dry soil, vacuuming your carpet regularly will remove that soil and keep it from scratching your carpet fibers. Periodically, though it is recommending by all the major carpet manufacturers to have your carpet cleaned by a trained and certified technician. These two things help keep the carpet clean and will allow the carpet to be able to filter out dust, dirt, and other allergens that would not be able to be filtered out by a hard surface floor.

Controlling Odors

There are many reasons you could have odors in your home or office. They could come from things such as cooking, pets, a plumbing leak, smoking, and many more. Getting rid of these odors sometimes can be a challenge. However, there are a couple things to remember when trying to get rid of odors.

The most important rule of odor removal is to first remove the "source" of the odor. For example, I received a call several years ago to clean up some dog poop in a home. On the phone with the customer I was under the impression the "pile" had already been removed. However, when I arrived the pile had not been removed and there was cans of different kinds of cleaners and air freshener around the pile. I was then quickly reminded of the first rule of odor control, to remove the source. Unfortunately, for me though this was a big dog and I needed a shovel. Not something we usually carry on the carpet cleaning truck.

Sometimes removing lingering odors after the source is removed can be tricky, but the best place to start is at the source and go from there.

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.

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.

iPad3 and KindleFire to be given away at Lake Houston Business Expo

We'll be there and we hope to see all of you there too.  

iPad3 and KindleFire to be given away at Lake Houston Business Expo

Blogging Your Way to More Business - Feature Article - ICS: Cleaning Specialist

Blogging Your Way to More Business - Feature Article - ICS: Cleaning Specialist

This is a friend of mine in the carpet cleaning industry. He is a great writer, marketer, and carpet cleaning business owner.

www.pearsoncarpetcare.com
www.prodrying.com

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.

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.

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

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

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

New Welcome Page

Check out our new welcome page on facebook.

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

Pearson Carpet Care
525 N. Houston Ave.
Humble, TX 77338
281-548-7200

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

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

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/

One Insurance Company Wanting me to Charge Them More

This article really has nothing to do with rug cleaning at all, but since our company does a lot of water damage I thought somebody might find it interesting.

http://ezinearticles.com/?One-Particular-Insurance-Company-Wants-Me-to-Charge-Them-More-and-They-Dont-Realize-It&id=2618381

For more information about Pearson Carpet Care go to http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com or our drying equipment sales company at http://www.prodrying.com

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.

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

Clean it and Go! by: Kevin Pearson - Clean it and Go!

Looking for spot cleaning tips on carpet and rugs. This book has great tips for consumers on how to take care of their carpet and rugs. It is only 12.95 with free shipping.

Clean it and Go! by: Kevin Pearson - Clean it and Go!


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

Pearson Carpet Care Newsletter - November 2011

Here's where you can find the November Newsletter for Pearson Carpet Care

http://campaigns.ratepoint.com/campaigns/a16b20b1b414f6bdf37b1c5830b333c0

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Another funny rug video

This is the follow-up to Roscoe's Rug Emporium which can be found in the October 2011 section of the blog.

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.

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/.

Roscoe's Rug Emporium

This video always cracks me up and since it is about rugs, its perfect for my blog.  After you watch the video make sure to visit our website. http://www.pearsoncarpetcare.com/

http://youtu.be/T0q1i2mqMgs

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.

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.

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.

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.

Removing Dry Soil From A Rug

Should you have your carpet and rugs professionally cleaned

Here's a link to an article I wrote titled Should you have your carpet and rugs professionally cleaned.

Read more articles from Kevin on Yahoo

Kevin Pearson's Contributor Profile - Yahoo! Contributor Network


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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.