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


Read More

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. 

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.