Monday, May 2, 2011

How Long Does it Take for Carpet to Dry?

A carpet cleaning wand is the tool that most people associate with carpet cleaning. It is the standard used for basic carpet cleaning because it is versatile and lightweight. It does a great job of cleaning carpet that is dirty from normal usage.

With standard carpet cleaning you can expect your carpet to dry in 4-6 hours.

You can speed up this process considerably by getting out your fans, opening windows and otherwise increasing the ventilation.

If you want the carpet cleaners to leave their fans behind, expect a fee for this. It really isn't necessary to use their fans to dry your carpet, any fan will do.

Carpet Restoration

If you have a flood there are special tools carpet cleaners will use to dry and properly restore your carpet and padding.

These tools are really giant fans that go underneath your carpet and blow hot air from underneath the carpet.

If you have a flood, you want to make sure to get a carpet cleaner over right away. Well, make sure to stop the flood first.

The carpet cleaners are vital to making sure your carpet does not get ruined, and to prevent mold. They can remove baseboard, and help dry your drywall as well. Carpet cleaners are not just good for carpet cleaning, they are who you call when you have a flood.

Not all carpet cleaners offer this service. Cleaning after a flood is called restoration.

IICRC - The Certification to Look for with Carpet Cleaners

A carpet cleaner generally has to be IICRC certified to provide restoration work. The IICRC website also has helpful information regarding floods, and smoke damage. You would never want someone to perform restoration if they have not been IICRC certified.

Often your insurance will pay for this work. Your insurance may have a list of vendors that they work with for floods, so you may want to call your insurance company before you hire anyone.


Ref: associatedcontent.com

Best Carpet Cleaner Companies in and Around Eugene, Oregon

Everyone that has carpet is faced with finding the perfect professional carpet cleaning company to help them maintain their home in pristine condition. This can often be a difficult choice. Some people look at the price but others care about the quality of work.

Here are five top carpet cleaners in and around the Eugene, Oregon area that offer superior service.

1) Superior Carpet Cleaning Service
http://www.superiorcarpetcleaningservices.com/
541-689-0561

This company offers carpet cleaning service in and around Eugene and Springfield Oregon. They have been in business for the last 25 years and they offer professional service.

The company cleans for the City of Eugene, the Public Library, and the Hoodoo Ski Lodge. This list of loyal customers reflect the truly outstanding service that they offer to all their clients.

2) Atiyeh Brothers Carpet Cleaning
http://www.atiyehbrothers.com/
541-342-3678

This company offers carpet cleaning, fine rug cleaning, furniture cleaning and repair work. They have excellent service with reasonable prices. They are located not only in Eugene, Oregon but also the Greater Portland, Oregon area. They have been a family business since 1900.

The carpet cleaning is exceptional but they excel at any type of repair, especially of fine oriental carpets.

3) Oregon Cleaning Crew
http://www.oregoncleaningcrew.com/
541-409-7287

This family owned and operated company is completely Green. They offer environmentally safe cleaning products that are non toxic for your family. Their guarantee is that the customer will be happy or they clean for 'free'.

Their cleaning service not only covers carpets but the entire house. Whatever you need cleaned this crew is happy to do.

4) Willamette Valley Carpet Cleaning
http://wvcarpetcleaning.com/
541-870-9490

This carpet cleaning business offers excellent service in the Eugene and Springfield Oregon area.
Their products leave no oily residue behind. They specialize in stain removal. All of their products are
biodegradable and phosphate free products.


Ref: associatedcontent.com

How to Choose a Carpet Cleaner that Won't Clean You Out

There are lots of good reasons to love a clean plush carpet, from the way it feels between your toes to the aesthetic appeal it brings to your home. But these benefits come at a cost - carpets are virtual magnets for nuisances like dust, dander, stains and mold. Fortunately, carpets wear well when properly maintained and can retain their beauty for many decades. So arm yourself with these tips to help you navigate the sea of options out there, and you can be sure you won't end up with another carpet cleaner that does shoddy work or overcharges.
Here are some questions you should ask your prospective carpet cleaner before letting them into your home:

  1. What equipment do they use? Reputable cleaners use equipment that utilizes the Hot Water Extraction method, the only technique that's classified as deep cleaning and the best way to remove soapy or toxic residue. In addition to providing a more thorough clean, a truck-mounted Hot Water Extraction system will send exhaust outside your home instead of recirculating it.
  2. Are they certified? While many uncertified carpet cleaners perform good work, certification provides extra assurance that the company knows how to clean carpets effectively and without damaging them. The two most widely recognized certifiers are the RIA (Restoration Industry Association) and the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification).
  3. Are they insured and bonded? A company that's insured is covered for injuries, damage and other liabilities that may occur on your property. The last thing you want is to get stuck with someone else's bills. Bonding provides a monetary assurance in case the job isn't performed correctly or to your satisfaction. A company that is neither bonded nor insured isn't likely to stand behind the quality of its work.
  4. Do they guarantee their work? A competent company will have a guarantee on its services. In case you are unhappy with their work, they will usually offer to clean your carpet again before they offer a money back guarantee. Take note of how long their work is guaranteed for, as stains can take up to two weeks to resurface after a cleaning, if they exist.
  5. How do they determine pricing? Do they charge by the hour or by the job? If they charge by the project, they are more likely to try to get it over with as soon as possible and make their way to the next job. Most carpet cleaners consider a room that's over 200 square feet to be two rooms, so if the company determines cost according to rooms, make sure to ask how they measure a room. If the company charges by the hour, they are more likely to do a thorough, if slower, job. If you are unsure about the company's pricing policy, ask them to come by and give you an estimate, but do not let them pressure you into buying their service on the spot!
  6. Do they have references? Carpet Cleaners get asked this question all the time, and any reputable company will have this information on hand. Don't hesitate to ask.
  7. Are they registered with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)? If they are, it is a good sign that the company cares about customer satisfaction. In addition, it will give you the opportunity to inquire the BBB about any grievances filed against them.
  8. Will they help you move furniture and vacuum before cleaning? For a more thorough clean, you should move furniture that may be sitting on stains. Many carpet cleaners will perform this service for you free of charge. An absolute must, vacuuming before carpet cleaning helps prevent dirt from embedding into the fabric. If they don't vacuum first, RUN!
  9. Do they use safe products? Some of the more powerful carpet cleaning products are toxic and can pose a hazard to your health if they are not thoroughly cleaned out of the fabric. If you have pets or small children you may want to ask the cleaner to use non-toxic products. (If you vacuum and clean your carpet regularly it will require less powerful cleaning products). Some cleaners also stock eco-friendly products.
  10. How long have they been in business? A company that has been in business for a long time probably managed to stay in business by providing quality service. Lower your chances of hiring a fly-by-night company by choosing someone who's been around for a while.

Finding a good carpet cleaner shouldn't have to be a chore, but unfortunately it sometimes is. So remember to take your time when choosing a carpet cleaner. Don't let anyone pressure you into accepting their service before you find out if they meet your criteria. And if you follow these guidelines, you can rest assured that you'll find a carpet cleaner you can trust.


Ref: associatedcontent.com

Tips for Keeping Your Carpet Cleaner, Longer

If you own carpet, you can understand how much of a hassle it is to frequently be professionally cleaning your carpet. With some carpets, there are stains that just cannot be removed due to carelessness. If you would like to save some cash on the cleaning machine rentals or services, here are some tips to keep your carpet looking like new.

Always remove your shoes at the door.

Right before you walk on carpet, make sure to remove your shoes. The dirt that is trapped to the bottom of your shoes can get stamped on the carpet. It is just a good idea to avoid that from the beginning.

Keep red liquids far away.

It is always a gamble to have a red liquid near your carpet. Red stains are hardest to get out of the carpet. If you do accidentally spill red liquid on your carpet, make sure to clean it right away with cleaning supplies. You should always have some kind of carpet cleaner in your cabinets. Use this directly on the stain. Do not rub the brush or
rag back and forth. Doing so may just smear the stain further into the carpet. Instead, try patting it down lightly. Let the cleaning supplies do their job.

Vacuum daily.

Even if it does not seem like your carpet needs to be vacuumed, doing it frequently removes any unseen dirt from the carpet.

Treat spots that come up.

Sometimes with carpet, you may notice dirt spots that appear from almost nowhere. Take out the carpet cleaning sprays that you have available, and spot clean the stains. If you do not clean spots that show up, they can get worse with the time that passes.

If you follow these steps, you should not be needing that professional carpet cleaning service so often. It may still be a good idea to get your carpet done professionally a couple times a year. By taking extra care of your carpet, you will be keeping your room looking nice, and extra money in your pocket.


Ref: associatedcontent.com

Getting Ready for the Carpet Cleaner

Experts advise that you have your carpets cleaned professionally every one to two years, more often if you have children and/or pets. But once you’ve picked out a carpet cleaning service, how do you prepare for their visit? Here are some tips:

Take at least a half day off from work. Carpet cleaners tend to arrive in four hour windows, and their work schedules can be unpredictable. Someone should be home to see them in—leaving a key is a bad idea. And you don’t want to be trying to rush home from work, only to miss the carpet cleaners who will claim they sat outside your house for ‘hours’ waiting for you.

See to it that pets are locked up somewhere comfortable near their litter pan, and with food and water available to them. This is for your pet’s own protection as well as your peace of mind. You don’t want to be worrying that the carpet cleaners will accidentally let your pets out of the house while they come in and out with all their equipment. You also don’t want to worry about your pets getting hurt by the equipment or sick on the chemical treatments that the cleaners will use on your rug. And of course, you don’t want to risk that your pets get spooked and bite or otherwise attack your carpet cleaners. Finally, the noise of the machines can terrify some pets—if they’re secured away in a place that they feel comfortable and safe, it will help calm their nerves.

Even though most carpet cleaners will help you move furniture out of the way, try to get as many items up off the floor as possible. This will make the job of cleaning the carpets easier, but it will also help protect your furniture and other items. Moreover, it will help you find any stains you might not have seen before, so that you can point them out to your carpet cleaners when they come.

For that matter, get rid of most breakables and put them away. You don’t want your carpet cleaners being too gentle—they have to give your carpets a vigorous cleaning—so they shouldn’t have to worry about knocking over fragile knick-knacks and glassware.


Ref: associatedcontent.com

Hoover SteamVac Carpet Cleaner Reviewed

You probably know if you have carpet how expensive it can be to get the floor cleaned. However, cleaning your carpet does not have to be expensive. Carpet cleaners are coming down in price and if you purchase a new carpet cleaner you will even be able to clean your own carpets. Now I purchase a carpet cleaner last year and thought I would share what I think of my carpet cleaner. Now the carpet cleaner that I purchased was the Hoover SteamVac with Clean Surge feature.

Now I have been using my Carpet Cleaner for a little bit over a year and thought I would share what I think of them cleaning ability of this carpet cleaner. The Hoover SteamVac with Clean Surge Carpet Cleaner has many features and some negatives.

The first positive that I found with this Hoover SteamVac Carpet Cleaner is it has an excellent cleaning ability. I know that it had been quite some time since the carpet at my home had been cleaned and the Hoover SteamVac carpet cleaner did an excellent job. I know that some of the stains were rust stains on the floor from an older reclining chair. The stains had been on the carpet for several years and they no longer exist on my floor.

The next positive is that the Hoover SteamVac Carpet cleaner is very easy to use. The use of the carpet cleaner just consists of reading the manual which is simple to follow and filling up the supply of cleaner. Then you just have to start vacuuming the floor. I do recommend taking your regular vacuum to the floor first to make sure you get up any loose hair first.

The other positive is that the dirty water holder is clear so you can see how full the water is. You can also see the water coming into the holder so you will be able to tell how dirty the water is while you're cleaning your carpet. Not only that you will be able to tell how dry the carpet will be after you get done cleaning it.

The one negative is that the dirty water holder is not as large as what I thought it would be. Now this may not be a large problem if the carpet area you're cleaning is not big. However, if you have a very dirty carpet or large area you will have to dump the dirty water several times before the carpet will be clean.


Ref: associatedcontent.com

Choosing the Perfect Carpet Cleaner

If you've spent any time looking for the perfect Los Angeles carpet cleaner service, then you know how difficult it can be. Without first-hand experience with a carpet cleaning company, it's hard to make a judgment about how good they are at what they do. Fortunately, there are ways to determine the quality of a service before you decide. I'll give you three tips that will make that decision much easier.

The first is to make sure that they handle the type of cleaning you need them to do. Do you need general carpet cleaning, or is there a specific stain you need removed? If the company has a website, you should check to see if they handle the kind of stain you need cleaned up. If you have a pet stain, make sure they mention pet stains. If you have a wine stain, see if they say anything about wine stains. And so on. If you don't see your particular problem mentioned on the website, or if the company doesn't have a website, just call them up and ask. Any good, reputable company should have no problem answering your questions before you order. In fact, they should be eager to do so.

The next thing you should do is make sure that the company handles allergens (such as dust mites) properly. This is important even if you don't have allergies yourself. After all, it's unlikely that you'll never have a visitor who doesn't have allergies, and your risk of developing an allergy increases with exposure to these allergens. Many cleaning services are equipped to deal with allergens, but not all are. This is another thing you should look for on the website of any service you're considering, or should call up to ask about. If they don't know what you're talking about, they aren't a good choice.


Ref: associatedcontent.com