P.M. SPECIALTY SERVICES

Today we would like to give a brief  overview of the most common carpet cleaning methods.

Before having a carpet cleaned, you may find it helpful to understand some of the carpet cleaning methods. All carpet cleaning methods offer various advantages, but also have some limitations. No single method is superior to all others. Properly performed under appropriate conditions, each method can provide satisfactory results. Often several methods can be combined to achieve the desired results. The following are the more common carpet cleaning methods. (Note: There is no significance to the order in which these techniques are presented.)

Hot Water Extraction or "Steam" Cleaning

In this method, hot water cleaning solution is sprayed on the carpet and immediately extracted (along with the dissolved soil) by a wet vacuum. Extraction equipment can be portable or truck-mounted,  Hot water extraction is often referred to as "steam" cleaning. In actuality this is a misnomer as the temperature of the heated solution never reaches the point to generate steam.

Carpet Shampoo Method

The shampoo method, generate a lot of foam in the carpet, allow this foam to dry, have the resulting residue attract the soil, and vacuum up the residue and soil the next day.

Carpet Absorbent Cleaners

 dry absorbent compound (containing small amounts of water, detergent, and solvent,) is sprinkled over carpet or worked into the carpet with a machine. The purpose of this cleaner is to attract and absorb soil. Mechanical agitation from a brush works the cleaner through the carpet.

The theory is that the liquids dissolve the soil and this soil/detergent/solvent mixture is absorbed into the carrier and is then vacuumed up. They are often used with a detergent prespray in heavily soiled areas.

Bonnet cleaning, aka, spin pad or absorbent pad or carbonated shampoo cleaning

This method consists of the use of a rotary or oscillating brush adapted with a stiff brush or drive block designed to drive wet, damp or dry pads. The carpet can be sprayed with the cleaning solution and/or the pads can be soaked in the cleaning solution and squeezed lightly before placing the pad under the driving brush.Sometimes, carbonated water is used to (in theory) give better soil suspension and bring down the pH.

The maintenance brochure published by the world's largest carpet manufacturer, Shaw Industries, suggests not using this method, especially on cut pile, due to pile distortion and fiber damage.

PERRY McKEOWN is Owner of P.M. SPECILTY SERVICES

Today we would like to talk a little bit about area rug cleaning and why The recommended cleaning method for wool oriental and specialty rugs, is washing them.

As long as rugs have been woven, they have also been washed. Rugs, ESPECIALLY wool rugs have a capacity to hold a large amount of soil in them. This is because wool fibers under the microscope looks kind of like fish scales, lots of layers, so many places to hide dirt and grit that can cause premature wear. It’s these many little layers that hold soil, and why a wool rug can have pounds of soil in it and still not look especially dirty. The dirt is hiding. And not just dirt and soil, but a whole host of other contaminants.

There are several reasons why cleaning rugs requires them to be removed from the location. The big one is of course the removal of this soil before cleaning, by means of a special rug beater  and then the actual washing of the rug itself, which simply cannot be done with standard carpet cleaning machines a portable or truck-mount. Those are considered surface cleaning and not washing.

Choosing to clean a rug "on-site" can cause more harm than good. This is information every consumer needs to know regarding any rugs they value:

The wrong methods, cleaning solutions, temperature, drying conditions, as well as poor rug construction, Can lead to rug cleaning disasters

Our goal is to make sure rug owners know how to best care for woven rugs, and give them the best information to help make that happen. whether your rugs are in a hotel, law firm,commercial real-estate office or in your home, you can feel safe knowing your rugs are receiving the best possible care they deserve. 

Perry McKeown, Owner of P.M. SPECIALTY SERVICES

In this article we are going to touch on one area of odor remediation.Whether it is in a home or a commercial property the outcome remains the same. All Real Estate professionals have been there. The house shows great from the street and based on the pictures of the inside, the clients are bubbling with excitement to view the place and make an offer! However, when the before mentioned bubbly, euphoric couple enters the door, WOW! They look at each other with that "What the..." look on their face then blurt out what is that smell, I've seen enough, let's go". You've just lost a deal because of Stinky Home Syndrome

How can you prevent Stinky Home Syndrome from robbing you of a sale when the rest of the house is screaming "I KNOW YOU WANT ME! Simple! in conjunction with proper carpet cleaning to remove deep odors in the backing and carpet pad, Perform an ozone "shock treatment" before you show the place! What is an "Ozone Shock Treatment"?  Ozone shock treatments are performed by professional Carpet cleaners skilled in odor removal, In unoccupied structures over a 6-12 hour period to permanently oxidize and break down the organic material and chemicals causing the foul smell. House plants, pets, and humans cannot be present during an ozone shock treatment. Besides getting rid of the root cause of the odors, ozone shock treatments will also drive away most pests as well as break down VOC's and kill surface bacteria, viruses, and molds.

After the shock treatment is completed, air out the house by opening windows and running the vent in the HVAC system at room temperatures. Plants, pets, and humans can re-enter after 2 hours.

RESULT: When your bubbly, euphoric to see the place clients now walk in and smell the fresh, mountain clean air the decision maker will turn to there partner and say "HONEY! I THINK THIS IS THE ONE!" and everyone will live happily ever after.

Perry McKeown Owner of P.M. SPECIALTY SERVICES