Is Your Upholstery Really Clean? Or Does it Just “Look “Clean?

January 22nd, 2009

   Your day is almost over and after dinner you decide to lie down on the sofa to catch your favorite TV show and relax. You grab your favorite blanket and snuggle your face against that nice, soft pillow. You take a deep, cleansing breath and notice that that pillow doesn’t smell that fresh. You think to yourself, ’sure it is, just look at it, it looks clean’.

  If you want to find out how much soil is actually in your upholstery that “looks” clean, take the upholstery test. Simply take a white terry cloth towel and put it over the end of your vacuum attachment hose. Turn the vacuum on (be sure that you don’t let the vacuum suck up the towel). Gently massage the fabric with the cloth. You will have a round, dark spot which is embedded soil in the fabric.

Sometimes things that “look” clean - aren’t. Take the test! Then call Certified Clean Care (706) 769-1444 to get your cleaning appointment scheduled.

Basic Housekeeping – Cleaning Tile & Grout

January 13th, 2009

Time to clean the bathroom? Perhaps not your favorite chore, but a necessary one. The task is frequently made more difficult because of the effects of water or moisture. Mildew and mold love to live in your residential “wetlands,” and while ceramic tiles are tough and stain-resistant, the grout that’s laid between them can present cleaning challenges. All those wet feet do track dirt and water around, and unless you’re vigilant about regular cleaning, scum can also build up between floor tiles.

 

 If you keep your bathroom as dry as can be, mold and mildew will be less likely to set up shop. If temperatures permit, open windows to allow air to circulate. Turn on the exhaust fan after a shower.

 

Let Certified Clean Care help you maintain your Tile and Grout Cleaning  and take one more job off your hands (and knees) with a powerful, yet safe and gentle, cleaning process. Using a specially developed tile and grout cleaning solution and high-pressure, hot water rinse with a fully enclosed vacuum system, we can restore clean and gleam to all your ceramic tile and grout surfaces - bathroom floors, showers and tubs, kitchen floors, tiled foyers and entryways, tiled halls, sunrooms, countertops, and more.

We also recommend using a sealer on your grout after it has been cleaned. This extra layer of protection seals the grout, making it resistant to spills and stains, and easier to clean in the future - keeping the grout and the surface looking clean longer.

Call today to schedule a Free, in home, no-obligation tile and grout cleaning consultation: (706) 769-1444.

Is Your Flooring a Commodity or an Investment?

January 6th, 2009

Would you be surprised to learn that flooring is your third largest single investment? Your home and your automobiles may be the only two larger single investments before your flooring. Sure, if you add up all of your furniture and other valuables, they may add up to more than what your floor cost. But all by itself, your flooring is typically your largest investment. The question is Do you treat your floor like an investment?

Any investment you have requires some kind of maintenance to get the maximum ROI. You maintain your home so that it will retain its value. You maintain your vehicle by changing the oil on a regular basis to avoid costly repairs. Your carpet and flooring is the same way. It should be maintained through regular vacuuming, prompt spot removal, regular professional cleaning, and the application of protectors. Your carpet should be vacuumed once or twice a week, and professional cleaning should take place before the carpet has visible soil. Clean heavy traffic areas as often as they need it. Carpet manufacturers recommend professional cleaning at least every 12 months and require hot water extraction every 18 to 24 months to retain texture retention.

Call our office today & find out how we can help you maintain this very important investment.

(706) 769-1444

4 Important Reasons to Clean Your Carpet Regularly

December 8th, 2008
  1. Appearance - Don’t feel embarrassed if guests pop in. You just feel good when your carpets are clean.
  2. Health - carpet cleaning removes dust, allergens, germs, pet dander, and odor leaving your indoor environment and air clean, fresh and healthy.
  3. Investment - Refresh, restore and extend the life of your expensive carpet. It will save you from premature replacement.
  4. Warranty - Manufacturer warranties require proof of hiring a professional cleaning company; a minimum of every 12-18 months.

And remember, never waste money, time and patience on cheap, low quality cleaning companies.

Value is what you get  -  Price is what you pay.

Give us a call at Certified Clean Care - our friendly office staff is eager to help.

(706) 769-1444

We Have Your Carpet Spotting Solutions!

November 19th, 2008

Did you know that the number one reason homeowners call a Professional carpet cleaner is because of spots and stains? While all carpet requires Professional cleaning at least once a year to keep it clean, fresh and looking its best, spots and stains can ruin the otherwise beautiful appearance of your home.

The reason the “one product” supermarket or hardware store carpet stain removers don’t work is because there are five types of household carpet stains. So get rid of all of those supermarket stain removers that are cluttering your cabinet under your sink. Many of these products actually create more problems than they solve. No single stain remover works on all five types of stains, which means you need the right stain remover for your needs.

The five general categories of household stains are: General or Common Stains, Greasy and Oil-based Stains, Juice and Dye Stains, Coffee and Tea Stains, & Pet Stains and Odors.

Certified Clean Care offers the entire line of these safe & effective spotting solution spotters. Our office number is (706) 769-1444.

What About My Hard Surface Floors & Area Rugs?

November 10th, 2008

Hard surface floors can also be permanently damaged by not being professionally cleaned on a regualar basis. For example, hardwood floors get deep scratch patterns. The grout on stone and tile floors isn’t sealed or the sealer hasn’t been affected by household cleaners and no longer repels the dirt and spillage. Also, the grout is a “valley” that the soil gets mopped into on a daily basis. And finally, a 9×12 Oriental rug can hold up to 87 pounds of soil without looking dirty! This was demonstrated by a study done by the Eureka Vacuum Cleaner Company. So, get your rugs cleaned about once a year as well, including removing the dry soil.

Why You Want Clean Carpet

October 21st, 2008

Have you ever noticed that only a few days after dusting, you can see dust everywhere, settled on glass table tops and the like? Dust happens. Household dust carries bacteria; dander, mold spores, germs, and friends, pets and even that open window bring in fresh dirt all the time - a lot of settling on your carpet.

Between longer work days, time-consuming commutes, and kids’ activities that keep the calendar full, who has time to worry about cleaning the carpet? Today, we’re spending less time on household tasks, yet we still expect excellent results. Lucky for us, carpet-cleaning products, methods and equipment are improving all the time. Cleaning carpet may seem like more of a chore than dusting the coffee table, but properly cleaning and maintaining your carpet makes all the difference in the world.

Preserving the Life and Beauty of Your Carpet

With their rich colors, textures, and intricate weaves, carpet and rugs can give any room a homelike feel. But the beauty and life of your carpet depends on the care it receives.

Just how long should a well-cared-for carpet last? It’s hard to say. But generally speaking, ten years is given as a guideline for quality carpets that are well-maintained (12.4 years according to DuPont studies.)

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Do you have allergies? Believe it or not, you can keep your carpet. Studies have shown that carpet is better at trapping allergens than hard flooring such as tile or hardwood. How can this be? Particles and allergens fall to the floor (out of the breathing zone) and onto the carpet. The fibers of the carpet trap allergens and particles, reducing their continued circulation in the air. Proper cleaning, and frequent vacuuming with a Hepa-filtered vacuum effectively sucks up the dust in the carpet, locks it in the machine, and keeps it out of the air.

Avoid Premature Replacement

Proper cleaning helps protect your carpet investment and safeguards you from having to replace it before its time – great news because it also keeps carpet out of the local dump!

Maintaining your carpet protects your pocketbook; just keep in mind that spending money to keep your carpet in top shape is a small amount to pay when compared to the cost of replacement

CERTIFIED CARPET CLEANER

September 25th, 2008

Does it mean anything?

Would you be surprised to learn that most carpet cleaning companies have no formal training? Some are not companies at all - only one person with a van, cleaning equipment and call themselves a company? That they are not required to be licensed? That there are no requirements to have any certification whatsoever?

Is training and certification important? After all, isn’t carpet cleaning a “menial task” that anyone can perform?

Actually, a carpet cleaning professional is working with one of your most valuable assets. Should it be trusted with just anyone? Unfortunately, our industry is full of “rogues” that only care about how much money they can get from you, and nothing about the life of your carpeting. They do not care about the industry in which they work.

Have you ever noticed that in many states, air conditioning companies, plumbers and pest control companies are required to be licensed? Not so for carpet cleaners. Unfortunately for you, and for me, there are many fine people in the carpet cleaning industry that realize that the standard must be raised. Those of us in that process help to police our industry. In order to do this, associations and certification organizations were created.

One such organization is called the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification). This organization provides certification courses and exams for the carpet cleaning industry. By attending these courses, carpet cleaners are taught about fiber identification, carpet construction, cleaning chemistry, cleaning methods and professionalism. There are several levels of certification. Certified technician, Journeyman technician and Master Cleaning technician.

So, the question remains - “Does it mean anything?”  Yes, Yes, Yes! It means alot! It means that the certified firm is on the cutting edge of technology and change in our industry. It means that a certified firm knows the right way to apply cleaning procedures and chemistry. It means that the certified firm is working together with other certified firms to raise the standard of carpet cleaning, in general, therefore providing you with a higher quality product.

Considering having your carpets cleaned? Curious as to if the company that is coming to your home is a certified firm? You can check for yourself at www.iicrc.org

4 Easy Steps to Clean Up a Spill on Your Carpets, Rugs, and Upholstery

September 17th, 2008

   

“Have you ever tried cleaning a spot on your carpet or rug only to make it worse?”

 

Using the wrong product or the wrong technique can actually damage your carpet or rug. Follow these simple instructions for best results. Please keep in mind that some spots require professional care.

 

STEP 1: Cover spill with WHITE napkin or paper towels.  DO NOT use colored paper! It might transfer onto the carpet. Be sure to use a THICK stack to absorb as much of the spot as possible

 

STEP 2: Blot by stepping on stack of towels.

REPEAT THIS PROCESS UNTIL NO TRANSFER TAKES PLACE. DO NOT RUB!!!

 

STEP 3: Apply Spotting Agent. Warning: Do not use “over the counter” spot removers! They can leave a sticky residue that attracts soil and may discolor your textiles. Instead, call us to find out what spotters are recommended.

 

STEP 4: REPEAT Steps 1 and 2. If the spot does not come out, do NOT attempt any further action, as you may set the spot and or damage your textiles. Instead, give us a call 706-769-1444

 

Do not over-wet the spot. Keep blotting until dry to the touch. You may then repeat all steps.

Cleaning Plan from Shaw Industries Warranty Pamphlet

September 8th, 2008

3 STEP CLEANING PLAN:

STEP 1.     VACUUM FREQUENTLY

STEP 2.     CLEAN MOST FREQUENTLY USED AREAS MORE OFTEN

STEP 3.     PERIODIC PROFESSIONAL CLEANING

         Periodic professional cleaning of the overall carpet is recommended. The frequency of overall cleaning may vary depending on the level and type of traffic and the conditions to which your carpet is exposed. This may range from as little as 6 months to 24 months between cleanings. Please note that a  claim canot be filed on a carpet over two years old without proof of professional cleaning. If  the carpet has not been cleaned within 24 months, your warranty will be voided. Please refer to the applicable warranty for more detail.

We support industry standard procedures for cleaning stain resistant carpet. The only method we recommend is hot water extraction (often referred to as steam cleaning although no steam is actually generated) utlilizing cleaning products which are non-cationic and have a pH less than 10. Carpet cleaning equipment and products used as spotters, pre-sprays, and in-tank solutions must have certification through the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Seal of Approval Program.

Warning: Non-approved cleaning products and topical treatments, applied by you or by a professional carpet cleaner, will void your warranty.

©2007 Shaw Industries Group, Inc.                             2007- Warranty