Carpet Cleaning Secrets of a Professional: 4 Must-Ask Questions BEFORE You Hire!

Ask these questions of any company you consider, before hiring them, to ensure a great carpet cleaning job!

1 - How long have you been cleaning, and are you Certified by the IICRC?

Experience does count - and so does education! Look for a company that can promise you experienced technicians at your house, that have been certified by the Institute for Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification in whatever areas (carpet, upholstery, odor, etc.) that you are hiring service for. An IICRC Certified Firm is even better! Bonus: Membership in a trade association (such as the Professional Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners Association) helps prove professionalism, ongoing education and industry involvement.

2 - What kind of equipment do you use?

Most carpet cleaning jobs will require hot-water extraction to get the best results...and, unless you live in a high-rise, out of reach, you'll want a truckmounted system. Truckmounts provide more heat, water pressure and suction, getting the carpet cleaner and drying it faster. Shaw Industries, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, requires hot water extraction annually to maintain the new carpet warranty, and they recommend truckmounts be used whenever possible.

3 - Do you use "green" cleaning products, and what do you rinse with?

In the past, carpet cleaners had to use harsh, petrochemical-containing cleaners. But nowadays there are new, "green" carpet cleaning alternatives (which often clean better than the old kind!) and are better for your family's health and that of the earth. They are more expensive, though, so many companies still use the old ones to keep costs down.

The other part of the question deals with the final rinse step. Many companies meter their detergent into the rinse, and leave whatever they don't suck out still in the carpet. An increasing number of companies, however, apply the detergent first, then use a clear rinse to remove residues. Soft water is always preferable - it will clean better and leave your carpet softer. But the "one-step" process is usually cheaper.

In the end, you'll need to decide what's best for you and your home, and hire accordingly.

4 - What Guarantee Do You Offer?

Make sure that the cleaner you choose stands behind their work! This should be a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many companies don't offer an actual guarantee. My company guarantees you The Most Thorough Cleaning and Exceptional Service Ever...or it's Free! If you're ever less than completely delighted, we'll make it right or you don't owe us a penny! What could be more fair? Make sure your choice of cleaners does the same.

If you need Carpet Cleaning in the Durango area, click the link to see our website for more information and current specials, or give us a call at 385-8444. For the rest of the country, log on to EthicalServices.com to find a reputable, prescreened cleaner.



Learn more about Oriental, Indian, Persian and Navajo Rug Cleaning here!

When Is a Bargain Not a Bargain?

In these turbulent economic times, everybody is trying to make their dollar go farther. Unfortunately, some businesses are taking advantage of that fact by "slashing prices" - and slashing service and workmanship right along with them!

The truth is, we get what we pay for when we invest wisely - be it in services or goods, large or small purchases. Sometimes, the "low price" up front leads to a higher price later on - either through hidden charges not disclosed in the "special" or through shoddy work that requires re-doing sooner than a good, professional job would have.

When we're buying goods, like autos or books, we can hold, touch and examine the object before we buy it (which is a good argument for buying local!) A lot can be told about the investment we're about to make, and we can usually feel secure in that purchase.

However, buying services is a little different. It can be difficult to know if you're going to get a good job until you see the finished work. Some services, such as plumbing or electrical repair, are almost completely "out of sight" - unless water starts leaking or sparks start flying, that is! So a little more due diligence is in order. Here are some basic questions to ask any service provider before investing in their work:

1 - How long have you been doing this? What training do you have? (Experience and education count! Look for firms and individuals that have been certified by non-profit educational organizations in their field of work. Membership in trade associations is also a good sign...and a call to the Better Business Bureau never hurts, either!)

2 - Can you provide references? (Any reputable company should be able to show you comments by other satisfied clients. And it's always a good idea to ask around your circle of friends and get comments from anyone who has used them.)

3 - What guarantee do you offer? (At a minimum, a company should make sure you are completely satisfied with the work. But a truly professional company will go "the extra mile" and provide more than just the bare minimum guarantee of satisfaction. They will ensure that you are truly delighted with the service and workmanship that you receive.)

4 - Will you provide me with an exact, written quote before starting work? What will you charge, and what does it include? (Many service businesses can provide an exact quote before work starts. Some, like remodelers or construction trades, will have to provide merely an estimate, but any ongoing changes should be communicated to and approved by you along the way. Beware of companies that offer "ballpark phone quotes" without examining the job first - these often change when they get to your house! Also, make sure that compare "apples to apples" by finding out what different charges actually get you. There can be wide differences in materials, products and services rendered from one company to another, even when they seem similar on the surface!

These points apply for almost any service you can think of. Next time, I'll give you more hints for finding excellence in the carpet cleaning industry!

Get free spot removal tips and current specials at UltraSteamCleaning.com

Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at RugMastersOfDurango.com

Moths in Rugs - Cleaning and Decontamination by RugMasters!

I had the honor this week of restoring a rug with moth damage. That may seem like an odd statement, but remember, this rug was worth probably six or eight thousand dollars and represented many hours of someone's fine work!

The client brought it to us right away when they first noticed a moth on it, and so the damage was minimal. We were able to decontaminate it, clean it, and apply moth retardant to keep the larvae away from it in the future, and it turned out good as new. Have a look in the video!

Rug Cleaning and Moth Treatment by RugMasters



Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at RugMastersOfDurango.com

Happy Birthday to Joe! (Click Here for Genius Network Interviews)

Just a quick, sincere Happy Birthday to a friend of mine in Phoenix, Joe Polish. Joe used to own a successful carpet cleaning company in Phoenix, and now spends his time helping other business owners around the country improve their businesses and service.

(A side note here: those booties you see us wearing over our shoes to keep your freshly cleaned carpet clean? Joe was the one who told me about those...way back in 1997!)

Joe is truly living his dreams right now; interviewing successful entrepreneurs and others (including Hugh Downs, just a couple of months ago!) and helping other smart, curious people "mine the gold" in what they have to say. Click on the title up top for a free peek at some of his recent interviews, if you're interested.

Again, Happy Birthday Joe, and have a great year!



Get free spot removal tips and current specials at www.ultrasteamcleaning.com

Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at www.rugmastersofdurango.com

Spot Cleaning for Oriental and other fine Wool Rugs

Hello again! Have you ever spilled wine on your oriental carpet? Or knocked over a glass of juice on the carpet in the den? Have you wondered if there's a "right way" to clean it up? Wonder no more!

This week I'm bringing you a current video I just shot on how to spotclean wool rugs. However, the basic steps are the same for synthetic wall-to-wall carpet too:

1 - Scrape up Solids, if applicable.

2 - Blot up liquids - take a clean, folded absorbent terry towel and press down or stand on it. You'll be surprised how much liquid just wicks right up into the towel (see video!)

3 - Apply a safe spot remover. You can call us at 385-8444 in the Durango area for a bottle of our professional spotter (which is safe for wool, by the way) or use club soda, as I do in the video. Let it penetrate, then blot it up. Don't scrub with a brush, as it may damage the fibers (the carpet or rug will tend to "fuzz up") and wipe gently if you need to remove more solids. If it's a liquid spill, all you need is blotting - rubbing will only work the spill in deeper!

4 - Rinse - pour a cup of plain water, with a capful of vinegar added, on the spot, and blot it out thoroughly. This helps prevent residue, especially from inferior "grocery store" spot removers, that can cause "re-appearing spots". Turn the towel to a fresh clean side and continue blotting and turning, or changing towels, until you no longer get moisture transfer onto your towel. If it was an especially large spill, you can leave a folded towel on top of it with a heavy book on top to help wick out some more moisture as it dries, or use a hairdryer or fan to dry the rug.

This should remove most common spills from your rug or carpet. Of course, if you have an unusual situation such as pet staining or coffee stains, you may need professional help. Call 970-385-5777 in the Durango or Farmington area, to arrange pickup or to drop off a rug at our Bodo Park Cleaning Studio, and we'll deep-clean your fine rugs like the works of art they are!

(If you like the video, you can see more videos of our work and tips on carpet, rug and floor care at www.youtube.com/ultrasteamdurango and www.youtube.com/rugmastersofdurango)


Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at RugMastersOfDurango.com