Hi folks! Just a quick post to apprise you of our October fundraiser...
A healthy home starts with a healthy you! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so check out cancer.org for information on prevention and treatment.
My older sister is a breast cancer survivor, so this month both of my companies, UltraSteam and RugMasters of Durango are donating 10% of their carpet and rug cleaning revenue to the new Breast Care Center at Mercy, and the American Cancer Society. Get all the details by clicking the title link, or call me at 385-8444 to reserve your appointment!
Get free spot removal tips and current specials at www.ultrasteamcleaning.com
Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at www.rugmastersofdurango.com
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
When Moths Attack (Your Rug, That Is...)
Today's post is about moths and rugs...seldom a good combination.
People talk about moths eating their rug, but it's actually the larvae that feed on the wool. And, if it goes unnoticed for long, they can do substantial damage. They'll tend to feed down at the bottom of the pile, so the first clue you may have is when a piece of the rug or a portion of the pile fibers get sucked up while vacuuming, leaving only the foundation yarns.
If you find moth damage, or see moths and larvae in or around the rug, call a professional rug cleaner immediately. They can evaluate the extent of damage and the best course of action to prevent further damage. (They may also be able to re-weave the damaged area, or have it done by a competent weaver.)
The rug should be removed from the house and cleaned as soon as possible, and the house should be treated to remove the pests while the rug is gone, so that it comes back to a clean, moth-free environment.
After cleaning and repair, the rug can be treated with a moth repellent that denatures the wool fibers, making them literally taste bad to the larvae, so they won't want to stay around! (NOTE: Moth repellents are not poisons or insecticides, which require application by a licensed pest control professional.)
If you have an oriental, persian or tribal rug with moth damage in Durango, Colorado, please feel free to call me at 385-5777 for a free consultation!
Get free spot removal tips and current specials at www.ultrasteamcleaning.com
Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at www.rugmastersofdurango.com
People talk about moths eating their rug, but it's actually the larvae that feed on the wool. And, if it goes unnoticed for long, they can do substantial damage. They'll tend to feed down at the bottom of the pile, so the first clue you may have is when a piece of the rug or a portion of the pile fibers get sucked up while vacuuming, leaving only the foundation yarns.
If you find moth damage, or see moths and larvae in or around the rug, call a professional rug cleaner immediately. They can evaluate the extent of damage and the best course of action to prevent further damage. (They may also be able to re-weave the damaged area, or have it done by a competent weaver.)
The rug should be removed from the house and cleaned as soon as possible, and the house should be treated to remove the pests while the rug is gone, so that it comes back to a clean, moth-free environment.
After cleaning and repair, the rug can be treated with a moth repellent that denatures the wool fibers, making them literally taste bad to the larvae, so they won't want to stay around! (NOTE: Moth repellents are not poisons or insecticides, which require application by a licensed pest control professional.)
If you have an oriental, persian or tribal rug with moth damage in Durango, Colorado, please feel free to call me at 385-5777 for a free consultation!
Get free spot removal tips and current specials at www.ultrasteamcleaning.com
Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at www.rugmastersofdurango.com
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Area Rug Cleaning
So...now you know a little about how to choose a rug, here are questions to ask any rug cleaner before entrusting your precious rugs to them!
1 - How long have you been cleaning rugs, and are you certified to do so by the IICRC? (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification - check for a certified cleaner near you at iicrc.org)
Experience and education are very important - you don't want an amateur "learning how" on your rug!
2 - How will you clean my rugs?
Fine wool rugs should be cleaned in-plant as follows: dusted and deep-vacuumed to remove dry soil, then hand-washed and cold-rinsed to protect the dyes and fibers. Don't settle for someone saying "I'll just steam-clean it at your house"!
3 - Do you remove dry soil before washing? How?
Very few cleaners own the specialized dusting and vacuuming equipment needed to remove as much as 90% of the dry soil before washing. This can result in deep, abrasive soil being left behind to grind away at the rug and wear it out, even though it "looks" cleaner on the surface.
4 - Will you inspect the rug for pre-existing conditions, and test it for crocking and bleeding before cleaning?
These are essential steps to avoid damaging the rug. Unfortunately, not everyone follows them. If your cleaner seems confused or doen't know what you're talking about, look for another cleaner!
5 - Are you insured?
This should be a no-brainer, but again, not everybody carries insurance.
6 - Do you stand behind your work with a money-back guarantee?
Of course we do! And so should anyone you entrust your rugs to!
Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at www.rugmastersofdurango.com
1 - How long have you been cleaning rugs, and are you certified to do so by the IICRC? (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification - check for a certified cleaner near you at iicrc.org)
Experience and education are very important - you don't want an amateur "learning how" on your rug!
2 - How will you clean my rugs?
Fine wool rugs should be cleaned in-plant as follows: dusted and deep-vacuumed to remove dry soil, then hand-washed and cold-rinsed to protect the dyes and fibers. Don't settle for someone saying "I'll just steam-clean it at your house"!
3 - Do you remove dry soil before washing? How?
Very few cleaners own the specialized dusting and vacuuming equipment needed to remove as much as 90% of the dry soil before washing. This can result in deep, abrasive soil being left behind to grind away at the rug and wear it out, even though it "looks" cleaner on the surface.
4 - Will you inspect the rug for pre-existing conditions, and test it for crocking and bleeding before cleaning?
These are essential steps to avoid damaging the rug. Unfortunately, not everyone follows them. If your cleaner seems confused or doen't know what you're talking about, look for another cleaner!
5 - Are you insured?
This should be a no-brainer, but again, not everybody carries insurance.
6 - Do you stand behind your work with a money-back guarantee?
Of course we do! And so should anyone you entrust your rugs to!
Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at www.rugmastersofdurango.com
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Area Rugs: Things to know before you buy!
Hi again! Today's post is about area rugs. More and more homes have beautiful wood, tile or stone floors these days, but most people choose to warm and soften at least a few rooms with a nice area rug at some point. As Durango's only IICRC Certified rug cleaner, let me give you a few pointers on what to look for when buying a new (or used) rug.
#1 - Buy Woven, Not Tufted. Turn the rug over to discover how it's made. A woven rug shows the pattern on the back, since the face yarns are knotted on the foundation yarns. Tufted rugs will have a blank (usually white or beige) cotton backing, glued to the foundation material that the yarns were tufted through. The glue will break down over time, and the rug will weaken. A good woven rug, whether hand or machine-woven, is stronger, and usually made of superior materials than most tufted goods. There are a few high-end exceptions in tufted rugs, but you won't find them at the local "big-box" stores - only, perhaps, in Scottsdale or other affluent areas where custom rugmakers have showrooms.
#2 - Buy Wool or Nylon. Nylon is the most durable choice, and has the most resiliency and stain resistance of the synthetic fibers - great for a playroom. Wool may be more appropriate if anyone in the house is chemically sensitive, since it is a natural fiber. Fine hand-knotted textiles such as Afgahni rugs, Oriental rugs, Persian rugs or Native American Rugs (such as Navajo rugs) will always be wool. Wool is very durable, but has less resistance to stains, so care should be used to keep it clean and treat any spots promptly. Silk rugs, though beautiful, do not in my opinion belong on the floor, at least not in any high-traffic area; the fibers are very fine, and have less resiliency than wool. Consider displaying them on the wall.
AVOID: Olefin (also called Polypropylene); though it is very lustrous at first, it quickly abrades and dulls, and is prone to matting down. Acrylic also does not have the resilience of wool, and is more susceptible to staining and traffic soil.
Especially avoid Rayon, often called "Art Silk" on rugs. The "art" stands for "artificial" but it is far weaker than silk fiber, being made from regenerated cellulosic fibers (usually wood pulp and cotton linters). A "cheap" silk rug is often really made of rayon.
If you have more questions on care and cleaning of area rugs, visit my website, RugMastersOfDurango.com, or call me at 385-5777 in Durango. (We have a rotating selection of fine rugs for sale at our cleaning plant.) There is also a more in-depth rug link below, and future posts will cover spot cleaning options for your fine rugs.
Interested in Rug Cleaning? See: squidoo.com/howtochoosearugcleaner
#1 - Buy Woven, Not Tufted. Turn the rug over to discover how it's made. A woven rug shows the pattern on the back, since the face yarns are knotted on the foundation yarns. Tufted rugs will have a blank (usually white or beige) cotton backing, glued to the foundation material that the yarns were tufted through. The glue will break down over time, and the rug will weaken. A good woven rug, whether hand or machine-woven, is stronger, and usually made of superior materials than most tufted goods. There are a few high-end exceptions in tufted rugs, but you won't find them at the local "big-box" stores - only, perhaps, in Scottsdale or other affluent areas where custom rugmakers have showrooms.
#2 - Buy Wool or Nylon. Nylon is the most durable choice, and has the most resiliency and stain resistance of the synthetic fibers - great for a playroom. Wool may be more appropriate if anyone in the house is chemically sensitive, since it is a natural fiber. Fine hand-knotted textiles such as Afgahni rugs, Oriental rugs, Persian rugs or Native American Rugs (such as Navajo rugs) will always be wool. Wool is very durable, but has less resistance to stains, so care should be used to keep it clean and treat any spots promptly. Silk rugs, though beautiful, do not in my opinion belong on the floor, at least not in any high-traffic area; the fibers are very fine, and have less resiliency than wool. Consider displaying them on the wall.
AVOID: Olefin (also called Polypropylene); though it is very lustrous at first, it quickly abrades and dulls, and is prone to matting down. Acrylic also does not have the resilience of wool, and is more susceptible to staining and traffic soil.
Especially avoid Rayon, often called "Art Silk" on rugs. The "art" stands for "artificial" but it is far weaker than silk fiber, being made from regenerated cellulosic fibers (usually wood pulp and cotton linters). A "cheap" silk rug is often really made of rayon.
If you have more questions on care and cleaning of area rugs, visit my website, RugMastersOfDurango.com, or call me at 385-5777 in Durango. (We have a rotating selection of fine rugs for sale at our cleaning plant.) There is also a more in-depth rug link below, and future posts will cover spot cleaning options for your fine rugs.
Interested in Rug Cleaning? See: squidoo.com/howtochoosearugcleaner
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