Carpet Cleaners Philadelphia
Carpet Cleaning Check List
Carpet Cleaning Scam
Alert!!! Scroll down page for more info
1. What type of equipment do
you use? 2.
What types of cleaning products do you use? 3. Is it true you will honor any valid competitor’s
price? 4.
Will all the stains be removed? 5. How often should my carpets be
cleaned? 6. Will Too Much Carpet Cleaning Wear Down My Carpets? 7. How do I know its time for a carpet
cleaning?
8. How long will it take
to clean my carpets? 9. Do you move furniture? 10. How long will it take for carpets to dry
? 11. What method
of carpet cleaning does your company use? 12. What guarantees do you offer? 13. What other services do you
provide? 14. Do I really get a lifetime supply of carpet & rug
spotter? 15.
Are you insured and bonded? 16. To prevent fires, how often should my dryer
vent be cleaned? 17. What cities/towns do you service? 18. Do I need to be home while you clean my
carpets? 19. I
have seen ads for the "Dry Clean" method. Is that a good method to use? 20. What can I do to prepare before my cleaning
technician arrives? 21. What are the benefits of having my carpets Green
Cleaned? 22. Why should we choose you as our carpet area rugs and upholstery cleaning
professional? 23. Do you have any references and/or testimonials from past
clients? 24. What brand of carpet protector do you use and why? 25. Will the backing of my carpet get wet
during cleaning? 26. What are the dark lines around the edge of my walls and on
stairs? 27.
I have heard that if you have allergies you should remove all carpeting? Is that
true? 28. SCAM ALERT
$9.95 per room or whole house for $99.00 coupons. Are they the real deal? You Decide
1. What kind of equipment do you
use?
Whether we are cleaning your carpets, rugs, grout lines, upholstery, or air ducts
our equipment is top shelf, and exceeds residential standards. A1 Sparkles Natural Carpet Cleaning of
Philadelphia uses truck mount carpet cleaning systems as our preferred type of equipment. Truck mount
equipment is where the actual machinery is built into the van. These powerful van units are used when ever possible
and do require parking with in 150 feet of the areas to be cleaned. Offering 25 horse power vacuums, 310 degree
heat exchangers, high pressure steam, and maximum water recovery these machines are costly but are worth
it!
A1 Sparkles Natural Carpet Cleaning exclusive water purification system water
guarantees superior cleaning buy eliminating Lead, Chlorine, Mercury, Calcium, and the Fluoride That Dentist Love
but Carpets Hate. For apartments, or when our carpet van is not an option we use high performance portable units.
Innovative designs, dual two stage vacuums, and optimal heat our portables offer the strongest performance on the
market. Whether using our truck mount systems or portables we use no chemicals in our steam cleaning
process.
2. What type of cleaning products do
you use?
First and foremost we don’t use any chemicals that are not safe for our children, pets, technicians, or the
environment. Unlike our competitors we clean your carpets with purified
water we and use no chemicals in our steam cleaning process. Essential there are three different types of pre
treatment or spotting agents use by carpet cleaners.
A. Heavy chemicals.
B. Nontoxic / Biodegradable.
C. Natural, Green, Certified
Powerful chemicals will get carpets clean, but they are known in the state of
California as toxic, and they will cause your carpet to re-soil very soon. We are not interested in and do not use
any heavy carpet cleaning chemicals. Many Philadelphia carpet cleaners use these chemicals to overcompensate
for low grade equipment and untrained carpet cleaners.
Our standard carpet cleaning uses the Nontoxic / Biodegradable carpet cleaning
products. These products are very effective and generally accepted as safe. In the case of heavy stains or soiling
some of these products may be used in the pre-treatment process.
Our Natural Carpet Cleaning method uses only the highest quality oxygen based 100%
organic solutions. Exceeding EPA standards these green cleaning products are Hypo-allergenic, residue free, and
contain no VOC’s, sulphates, or butyl. They are completely safe for children, pets and the environment. While these
organic carpet cleaning products cost more we know our customers and carpet cleaning technicians appreciate the
extra attention given to our health and the environment. So safe and effective over 90% of return customers prefer
the all natural products.
We encourage all carpet cleaning customers to see the company’s products. This way
you’ll ensure you are getting your money’s worth and peace of mind knowing they use only plant or fruit based
products.
The bottom line is, as the owner of a professional carpet cleaning business I
clean my carpets twice a year, and there is no way I am exposing my children and pets to hazardous
chemicals.
3. Is it true you will honor any
valid competitor’s price?
Yes! We have been cleaning carpets a long time and always honor a true competitor’s
price. But you have to do your home work. The competitor must be IICRC certified a Better Business Bureau member,
use comparable equipment and use 100% all natural organic products. A1 Sparkles honors written estimates and not
bait and switch coupons.
4. Will all the stains be
removed?
If we can’t get it out, the stain is not coming out. Customers are amazed at the
difference we can make. Our equipment, products, and exclusive purified steam rinse are guaranteed to remove even
the most stubborn most stains. Carpet quality, age, protectors, stain master, and general care are all variables in
the stain eradication process. With our carpet dyeing process virtually any stain that is not removed during the
carpet cleaning process, can be reduced and re-colored. You’ll never know the stain was even their. If A1 Sparkles
can’t get it out it is not coming out.
5. How often should my carpets be
cleaned?
Good question and one we are often asked. The short answer and the one
recommended by most carpet manufacturers is at least once every year and no more than eighteen months, or you’ll
void your warrantee. Cleaning your carpets more frequently are recommended if you have children, pets, allergies,
or a busy household. For a more information check out the EPA clean air guidelines.
The long answer is your carpet manufactures warranty may require yearly cleaning
and carpet protecting reapply to satisfy their requirements of proper care. (kind 'a like tires having to be
rotated and balanced every 5-7000 miles to maintain tread wear warranty...) For optimal health, beauty, and the
longest lasting carpets you should have them cleaned every six months. Check out our 50% off carpet cleaning
specials to make this a pleasant and affordable experience.
6. Will Too Much Carpet Cleaning Wear
Down My Carpet Fibers?
No. Carpet is one strong fiber. Even in the toughest environments such as hotels, a
well maintained carpet will look great and last years. 5 Star hotels see a lot of traffic but always have beautiful
carpets. That’s because they are vacuumed every day, spot cleaning as required, and steam cleaning every two to
four weeks. That’s up two 26 carpet cleaning' s per year!
There are only 4 rules for good carpet
maintenance.
Quality - The higher the purchase price, the
better the durability, and clean ability. (Builder grade carpet does not clean very well.
Vacuuming – The single most important
preventative maintenance procedure is vacuuming.
Stains – Get them out quickly. Especially pet
stains. Don’t rub stains in, blot them out. Click here for A1 Sparkles complementary Stain Removal
Guide.
Cleaning - Professional Hot Water Extraction
(steam cleaning), recommended every 6 months.
Chemicals – Less is better. Even the best over the counter organic spotters and
urine erasers will remain in your carpet until they are extracted. At home you simulate the extraction process by
blotting or by using a shop vac, to remove the excess product and the stain. When you call a professional make sure
they have truck mount steam cleaning equipment. This is the best process for removing deep down dirt that your
vacuum can get too. However not all carpet cleaners are the same. If they use normal chemicals and detergent rinses
they will leave a soil attracting residue. This residue will clog the carpet fibers making them unable to release
dirt, when vacuuming. Your carpets will prematurely wear and stains will be very difficult to come out. If you
follow these carpet rules your carpets will last twice as long and always look great.
7. How do I know its time for a
carpet cleaning?
Before the stains look like continents is always a good rule of thumb. However if you
aren’t sure try this little test. Take a clean white towel moisten it with fresh water and rub it into the carpet
pile. If any soil is transfer to the towel, its probable time for a deep cleaning. The best practice is a
professional all natural steam cleaning every six months.
Click here for A1 Sparkles
Natural Carpet Cleaning 50% off cleaning savings
8. How long will it take to clean my
carpets?
Each job is different. We can give you a general idea of how long the average home
can take to clean. Adding stairs, a couch and some chairs to the job can take longer, however we allow time on most
jobs in case a client requests additional cleaning. For that reason, we take as long is required to make sure your
carpet, rugs, and upholstery get their cleanest. (We have seen well maintained wool carpets looking great
after 35 plus years.)
9. Do you move furniture?
In most cases basic furniture moving is included. We use furniture sliders and
protective tabs to make the job safe and easy. We normally do not move large items such as TV's, entertainment
units, china cabinets, pianos, book case or any items that may come apart. Moving items such as beds, dressers,
large sofas, desks, and servers can be done for an additional charge and will be up to the discretion of carpet
cleaning technician. A1 Sparkles asks that you remove all items from any furniture that is to be
moved.
10. How long will it take for carpets to dry before I can
walk on them?
Nobody likes wet carpet, so we go out of our way to ensure your carpet never gets
soaked, and A1 Sparkles Natural Carpet Cleaning has the fasts drying times in the industry! We
recommend not walking on freshly cleaned carpet. While we are cleaning please be extra careful when transition from
carpet to hard surfaces. Ask your carpet cleaning technician for some complementary booties to prevent the carpets
from resoling. Using our powerful 25 hp truck vacuum, “green glide” carpet wands, and our double shot high speed
drying technique your carpets will be dry in 2 – 4 hours. Fiber type, density, soil levels, and relative humidity
may effect drying times. Running ventilation systems at 70 degrees and operating any ceiling fans helps speed
drying times as well. Portable carpet cleaning machines as opposed to our truck mount carpet cleaning
machine, do not extract as much water and prolong drying times. In addition, we will leave you a pair of "booties"
for you to use in case you need to move around on a freshly cleaned carpet. The booties prevent shoe stains and
re-soiling. They are reusable so be sure to keep them in a drawer and use next time we clean for
you.
11.
What cleaning method do you use?
While there are several different methods of carpet cleaning, A1 Sparkles is
experienced in all of them. The best method depends on type of carpet you have, amount of soil present and what are
your overall expectations. We recommend HWE (hot water extraction) method, commonly referred to as "steam
cleaning". Our method uses no chemicals! Instead we purified water that is converted to steam and hot water,
sprayed at pressures from 200 - 500 PSI depending on the type of carpet, length of pile and other factors we check
during our carpet inspection. Purified soft water cleans much better than regular tap water and leaves no mineral
deposits and a soft natural feel to the carpet fiber. Steam cleaning is recommend and often required carpet
manufactures like Shaw Industries, Mohawk, Stain Master, Beauliueand other leading carpet manufactures. Click here
to view the Methods of Carpet Cleaning. We encourage all carpet cleaning customers to see the company’s
products. This way you’ll ensure you are getting your money’s worth and peace of mind knowing they use only plant
or fruit based products.
12. What Guarantees do you
offer?
If The Stains Come Back … So Do We Warranty
Our truck mount carpet cleaning service comes with our exclusive guarantee” if the
stains come back so do we guarantee”. We can offer you this warrantee because we have designed our process,
equipment and natural solutions to prevent any stains from reappearing or wicking back to the surface. Our process
will keep your carpet cleaner longer. With our process stains do not come back! For the first 30 days following
your visit we will come out and re-clean any area where the stains have re-appeared. This guarantee is only valid
if we performed a pre-vacuum and you have selected all recommendations from your carpet cleaning technician. Our
warranty gives you access to professional touch-up cleaning free of change or at a reduced rate. There may be a
service nominal charge or a full charge if the stains are new and not ones that have came back. If for any
reason you are not satisfied with our cleaning, notify us within 3 days following your visit and we will re-clean
the area for free. Some restrictions apply.
13. What other services do you
provide?
In addition to natural carpet cleaning A1 Sparkles also provides; oriental rug
washing, upholstery cleaning, tile and grout steam cleaning, tile & grout sealing, carpet dyeing & bleach
spot repair, pet odor removal, maid service, house cleaning, janitor services, office cleaning, post construction
cleaning, apartment cleaning, air duct cleaning, hardwood floor cleaning, sand free hardwood floor refurbishing,
auto and boat upholstery cleaning, green cleaning, window cleaning, and first response fire and flood damage. If it
needs cleaning….give us a
call!
14. Do I really get a lifetime
supply of carpet & rug spotter?
Yes. All sales over $150 receive a free carpet spotter. This product is organic
and works better than any product you can buy from a retail store. Your life time supply is free each time we clean
your carpets. If you need a re-fill in between cleaning' s you can order on-line, give us a call, or stop in at the
office. You pay only the $5.95 shipping and handling fee.
15. Are you insured?
Yes. All reputable business have insurance to protect not only themselves but
their clients as well. A1 Sparkles carries business liability insurance policy, and workmen’s compensation. If you
need a Certificate of Insurance, please call us and we will have one sent to you. We need your name, address and
phone number. We can fax, mail or email you our certificate.
16. To prevent fires, how often
should my dyer vent be cleaned?
Most dryer vents should be cleaned at least every two - three years or so. This
depends on the length of your vent and how often the dryer is used weekly. Dryers that have short vent runs and
little usage may be able to go longer than normal before needing cleaned.
Cleaning the dryer vent can help prevent the possibility of a fire in your house
or dangerous carbon monoxide, in the case of a gas fired dryer. Plus, it can save you money on electricity or gas
cost. A clean vent allows the dryer to do a better job, allowing your clothes to dry quicker with less energy
consumed. Take time to notice if your dryer seems to be running longer with the same amount of clothes, it may be
time to have the vent cleaned. And, with all the talk about power shortages and high energy cost, we all must do
our part and make sure all our appliances are operating at peak efficiency.
We often see the white flexible vinyl type vent coming out the back of 90% of
dryers we service. This type of material can be highly flammable and creates dangerous fumes when burning. If the
lint catches on fire while the dryer is running it can blow flames into the vent pipe catching the vinyl connector
between the dryer and wall on fire. It can also blow flaming balls of lint around in the area where the dryer sits
and behind the sheetrock behind the dryer which causing the fire to spread faster. Hopefully, you catch it soon
enough and the Fire Dept gets there in time to keep the damage to a minimum. The washer / dryer area is one place
we recommend putting a smoke detector to give an early warning about smoke or fire in this area. Also have a good
A, B, C type fire extinguisher (like the one you see in Lowe's etc.) handy in case you need one quick. That
can be the difference between you knocking down a small fire or having the house burn down.
17. What cities and towns do you
currently service?
Our service area presently covers ABINGTON, AMBLER, ARDMORE, AUDUBON, BALA CYNWYD,
BERWYN, BENSALEM, BLUE BELL, BRIDGEPORT, BROOMALL, BRYN ATHYN, BRYN MAWR, CHELTENHAM, CHESTER COUNTY PA, TO CHESTER
SPRINGS, CLIFTON HEIGHTS, COATESVILLE, COLLEGEVILLE, CONSHOHOCKEN, DELAWARE COUNTY PA, DEVON, DRESHER, DREXEL HILL,
DOYLESTOWN, AROUND EAGLEVILLE, ELKINS PARK, FAIRLESS HILLS, FLOURTOWN, FORT WASHINGTON, FOLCROFT, GLADWYNE, GLEN
MILLS, GLENSIDE, NEAR GREEN LANE, GULPH MILLS, GWYNEDD, HARLEYSVILLE, HATBORO, HATFIELD, HAVERFORD, HAVERTOWN,
HORSHAM, HUNTINGDON VALLEY, JENKINTOWN, KENNETT SQUARE, KIMBERTON, OUR LOCATION KING OF PRUSSIA, LAFAYETTE HILL,
LANSDALE, LANSDOWNE MAINLINE PA, MALVERN, MEDIA, MELROSE PARK, MERION STATION, MONTGOMERYVILLE, MAGNIFICENT
MORRISTOWN NJ, NARBERTH, NEWTOWN, NEWTOWN SQUARE, NORRISTOWN, NORTH WALES, AT OAKS, ORELAND, PAOLI, PERKIOMENVILLE,
PENN VALLEY, PHOENIXVILLE, PHILADELPHIA, PLYMOUTH MEETING, POTTSTOWN, IN QUAKERTOWN, RADNOR, ROYERSFORD, SHARON
HILL, SANATOGA, SKIPPACK, SOUDERTON, SPRING CITY, IN SPRING HOUSE, SPRINGFIELD, SUMNEYTOWN, SWARTHMORE, TELFORD,
TRAPP, TROOPER, UPPER DUBLIN, VALLEY FORGE, VILLANOVA WILD CATS, WARMINSTER, WAYNE WEST CHESTER, WEST CONSHOHOCKEN,
WILLOW GROVE, WYNCOTE, AND WYNNEWOOD.
We can do other areas upon request that may
require travel surcharge.
Call for more info at 610-292-9069 or 215-782-3995.
18. Do I need to be at home while
you clean my carpets?
If you are a first time client, we require you to be present during the cleaning. If
will not be present during the carpet inspection and or cleaning and please let us know in advance and a valid
credit card is required to book your appointment. We like to have someone home to show us around the areas that
need cleaning and if we have questions about any stains, spots or seam problems. Before we start the cleaning
process, we perform carpet inspection to address any concerns you may have and get an idea of overall carpet
condition and age. We are friendly, uniformed, honest, certified, licensed, insured and bonded professionals you
can trust in your home. Most return customers that just leave a "key under the mat" and a note reminding which
areas to clean. We leave the invoice and lock the door on the way out.
We can call your office or cell phone prior to our arrival to let you know when we
can meet you. That way you are not sitting around the house waiting for us to arrive. We sometimes get delayed
during the day so exact appointment times are hard to pin down. With our mobile phones & GPS you can call us at
any time to let us know if your schedule has changed or to find out if we are running on or near schedule. Our goal
is to keep you informed and cause as little disruption in your day as possible.
19. I have seen ad's for a "Dry
Cleaning" method. Is this a good method to use?
As was mentioned earlier, most major carpet manufacturers recommend and some now
require steam cleaning (hot water extraction), as their preferred method of cleaning. Much like washing your hair
you rinse out the soap before drying, steam cleaning is highly effective in removing soil and other contaminants
from your carpet using the flushing of water rinsing agents and extraction with a powerful vacuum system. It is one
of many carpet cleaning processes that are officially recognized as an industry standard.
To most people "dry cleaning" means cleaning without water. The fact is, most
carpet cleaning advertised as "Dry" cleaning actually uses anywhere from a little, to a lot, of water! Some
companies use a white powder material that is sprinkled on the carpet and worked in with a brush machine. The
material supposedly absorbs the soil and is vacuumed away. For the majority of residential customers HWE or
"steam cleaning" will deliver the most effective results being its the method recommend by the largest carpet
manufactures.
Each process can be effective depending on the circumstances. For those who prefer
a dry cleaning process, and for most commercial carpets, A1 Sparkles offers a dry carpet cleaning and low moisture
cleaning systems. These systems are unique and effective process that delivers good cleaning results with minimum
water usage. Drying times are brief with an average of 10 min's to 30 min's. Your carpets will be clean, bright and
usable in a short amount of time. These processes are a good not great choice for carpet cleaning maintenance
programs.
20. What can I do to prepare before
the Tech. arrives to clean my carpets?
Our goal is to make the cleaning process as simple as possible and to disturbed your
daily routine. We have a check list with the most common item that needs attention before our arrival. Removing
breakables and clearing items from the floors is always recommended as a first step, along with a good vacuuming of
carpets depending on your package. Click here for some recommendations to prepare for your
visit.
21. What are the benefits of having
my carpets "Natural Carpet Cleaned”
Carpet manufacturing experts agree there is one "best" method for cleaning carpets in
your home. That method is HWE. Check the major carpet mills websites you will see they overwhelming recommend HWE
as the preferred method of cleaning. And starting in Jan 2007, Shaw Industries, the largest carpet maker will be
requiring carpets be HWE at least once every 18 months by a IICRC certified Tech to maintain warranties
.
- DEEP EXTRACTION– Our exclusive
natural products penetrate deep into the carpet fibers where dirt can be embedded. Soil is extracted from base
of carpet not scrubbed in deeper. The dirt and soil are taken out of carpet with our exclusive purified steam
water rinse action.
- NO SOAPS & DETERGENTS– All
natural cleaning solutions are plant and fruit based. They are non-residue materials and wash out completely
with the purified steam rinse
- SAFE & EFFECTIVE - For all
carpet types and fibers, including the stain resistant types, like Stain Master, wool and the finest oriental
rugs. Also A1 Sparkles products are completely safe for you, your children, pets and the
environment.
- SANITIZES - Removing 95% of
bacteria, dust mites, allergy laden particles, pollen and pollutants in the carpet that can attribute to
allergic reactions. For ongoing allergy relief click here for our Anti Allergen Care.
- ZERO CHEMICAL RESIDUES – Our
natural carpet cleaning process is guaranteed to leave not a drop of residue.
- SPOTS & STAINS – Even
the toughest spots, stains and odors are removed during cleaning process.
- CARPET PILE DISTORTION -
The powerful vacuum action and hot water used during cleaning helps restore that "like new" look to your
carpet. The carpet is clean and standing up like new.
- FAST DRY- Most carpets are dry
in 2-4 hrs.
- ECONOMICAL - Helps extend the
life of your carpet. It cheaper to clean than replace.
- NO HARSH CHEMICALS - Our
natural cleaning solutions are made from plant and fruit based products. They are completely safe for children,
pets and are hypo allergenic. No chemicals that leave a sticky residue and no soaps or harsh detergents are
used. Just ask to see our products; we are very proud of them.
22. Why should we choose A1 Sparkles
to clean our carpets?
Because we are true-Professionals who have perfected the art and science of textile
cleaning…the natural way! Carpet cleaning may seem pretty straight forward, but that's not the case with all the
different types of carpet, upholstery materials and cleaning agents available on the market today. You have to know
the chemistry and understand how different cleaning agents work on soil and stains on carpet fibers. Carpet
cleaning today is very different than it was 15 years ago. Shampoo was the best cleaning method around and man did
it leave a soapy residue in the carpet. That why most people still believe that cleaning your carpet makes it gets
dirty faster. With the advances in green cleaning supplies, water purification and heat exchanger truck mounts
today’s carpets stay cleaner and stay that way much longer. The cleaning products we use are the latest technology
in green cleaners. In addition, the carpet fiber itself has changed. [Did you know since 1950's nylon carpets have
changed composition 7 or more times?] We continually attend training classes to keep up with new cleaning
technologies and cleaning agents that emerge.
We don't try to lure you in with super low prices and false claims like the bait
and switch operators do. We will provide you a firm quote and stand by that price. Protect your self against
uneducated, uninformed, and down right unscrupulous carpet cleaners by only dealing with companies you can trust.
That's why we have joined Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration associations to put us in contact with
other professionals who also operated their business in an honest and ethical manner. In addition we are
fully insured, members of the BBB, certified, licensed, knowledgeable, honest, hard working and conduct our
business with the highest integrity. Plus, you will love our friendly, uniformed handpicked cleaning
technicians. Discover the difference and experience truly clean, fresh carpet. Our aim is to make the whole
process of cleaning in your home, pleasant and stress free for YOU our client. Call us for more info or to
schedule an appointment today at 610-292-9069
23. Do you have references , past
client comments?
Yes, we have posted some of them on our website. Additionally we can give you the
names of past customers. A1 Sparkles is VIP experienced and clean homes for many of the areas professional
athletes. Please call and let us know in advance. We will be happy to let you hear all the nice things our
customers are saying about us!! Also check our website for client testimonials. We are also members of the Better
Business Bureau, Angie’s List, and nationally certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration
Certification, (IICRC)
24. What brand of carpet protector
do you use and why?
We exclusively use 3M Scotchgard Advanced Carpet Protector. Scotchgard is the finest
brand available and extensive independent testing has been conducted to prove it is safe. We often recommend
customers use Scotchgard in the high traffic areas to prevent premature wear. We also recommend Scotchgard in areas
wear spills and stains are likely to occur. Carpet protectors are applied at the mill when your carpet was
manufactured. Known as Stainmaster, this product wears off over time and needs to be re-applied periodically.
Scotchgard is the only brand that protects your carpet from all stains and will actually extend the life cycle of
you carpet pile. For additional information on Scotchgard click here. For upholstery cleaning we use a
highbred fabric protector with dye lock. This product may be required to clean your upholstery as it locks in the
colors to prevent color run. Additionally our upholstery protector is flexible to the fabric and will not wear off
for many years.
When is come to tile and grout sealing we use a heavy duty commercial impregnator
that will outlast any other product on the market and will not peel off with cleaning.
25. Will the backing of my carpet
get wet during cleaning?
Absolutely not! During our cleaning process hot water is injected into the carpet
fibers rinsing the carpet and removing all the sand, dust mites, pollen, dirt and other contaminants. Much of the
moisture is removed by the powerful truck mount vacuum system and state of the art cleaning equipment we employ so
the carpet is left slightly damp to the touch. Most carpets are dry in 2- 4 hrs depending on carpet type, humidity
and air movement.
26. What is filtration soiling? (the
dark unsightly line around baseboards and under doorways)
Filtration lines are carbon deposits. This type of soiling is the result most
noticeable with light colored carpets and is often present in newer homes. You may see dark lines around
baseboards, under doors, on edge of stairs and especially near the HVAC return. These black lines the result of air
passing through the carpet as it goes under closed doors and through the edge of the carpet pile. The microscopic
particles of dirt and pollution are deposited along this line hence the name "Filtration Soiling". This process can
occur over a long period of time before it becomes noticeable. By that time there is quite a buildup of
carbon.
Filtration Soiling is very difficult to remove due to the fact the particles of
carbon are so small and fine they penetrate deep into the carpet pile and in some cases of severe soiling the
carpet backing can be can be stained as well. Can the lines be removed?? With special filtration line cleaning
products, time and good amount of effort, 'reasonable" results are possible. It depends on level of carbon present
and build up. We can give you a price on filtration cleaning; just ask us anytime we are cleaning.
How can I prevent these filtration lines?? Be sure to vacuum the edge where the
carpet and baseboard meet. You can use a crevice tool or just a regular dusting brush on vacuum hose end. Also
using a clean damp towel and wipe will help as well. Be careful of tack strips as they can nick your fingers. Also,
make sure your A/C filters are of good quality and change often during heating or cooling seasons. Try to avoid
burning candles as they emit carbon deposits into the air.
27. I have heard that if you have
allergies you should remove all carpeting? Is that true?
In 1973, based on anecdotal evidence that carpet contributed to allergic reactions,
the Swedish government banned the used of carpet in all public facilities. Carpet was replaced with hard surface
flooring materials in homes, commercial environments, schools, government buildings. Carpet fell from approximately
20% of the market share to less than 2% of the total flooring market share during that time.
Follow-up studies by the Swedish Central Statistics Bureau indicated a dramatic
increase in reported allergies by the Swedish population following carpet replacement. As carpet was removed and
hard surface flooring was installed, the incidence of allergy increased among the Swedish population. This alarming
increase was in direct proportion to the amount of hard flooring materials installed. This ban was removed after 17
years when the dramatic increase in allergic reactions was confirmed.
In recent years, numerous investigations have begun to question the practice of
avoidance and began to look at routes of exposure for allergens that are impossible to avoid. Researchers
understand that allergic reactions are caused by exposure to specific allergens, but these respiratory allergens
typically must be inhaled or ingested to produce a respiratory response.
Dust mite allergens have been a concern since its initial discovery as a primary
residential allergen in the 1960’s. Allergists routinely test for mite allergen sensitivity and historical data
reveals that a significant number of their patients reveal a low tolerance to this allergen. However, allergists
stop short of stating that allergic reactions have been caused by a specific allergen, because of an inability to
trace reactions to a specific cause. With the advent of air duct cleaning, anti allergen bedding, and steam
fabric cleaning dust mite levels have actually reduced, therefore reducing allergic reactions. The fact
remains that carpets and are the biggest air filter in your home, however they must be cleaned in order to work
effectively!
28. I
have seen coupons that advertise "5 rooms for $99" and "9.95 per room".
Are these real or not..??
Check out this hidden camera video taken in Kansas City recently. A local TV
stations set up hidden camera inside a home and called several carpet cleaning company that advertised claiming to
clean carpet for $9.95- $15.95 a room or the $99.00 whole house cleaning. You have seen the coupons and wonder, Are
they the real deal or NO DEAL, watch the video and you decide.. .
CLICK HERE FOR THE CARPET CLEANING SCAM ALERT VIDEO
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