Children and Pets Often Determine Best Carpet Choice in Maryland and New York
Homeowners often receive unsound carpet buying advice from salespeople who fail to consider the needs, goals and lifestyle of the consumer, including the age and activity level of children or pets living in the home.
January 7, 2009 --When Michael and Beth Johnson of Bend, Oregon purchased a looped Berber carpet for their home a few months ago, they made it known to the salesman that they were looking for a carpet that could withstand two young children, a large dog and two cats for at least 7 years. The salesman failed to mention that a looped Berber carpet isn’t a good choice for a household with small children or active pets. The Johnson’s didn’t find that out until a few days after their new Berber carpet was installed as they watched helplessly as several loops became snagged in several areas.
"We called the carpet store right away to let them know what was happening and they wouldn’t do anything about it. They advised us to not pull on the snags, but to use scissors to cut off the snags flush with the top of the carpet. But other than that, they said that there was nothing more they could do. It’s like getting a run in your nylons and it looked terrible," Beth recalls.
"But this was expensive carpet not a cheap pair of pantyhose. Now I have several runs down the middle of my living room and several more in other areas in the house. My husband Mike tried to repair a few obvious snags by using hot-melt glue, but it didn’t work."
The runs in their carpet can be repaired but it would never look like new. Even so, the cost of continual repairs could easily rival what they paid for the carpet.
"I’ve decided to live with it for now," Beth says. "I walk around snipping the snags as I find them, still, I was shocked when surfing the internet that Berber carpet isn’t recommended for small children and pets because it can snag and run easily and is difficult if not impossible to repair."
The Johnson’s found out the truth about Berber carpet after visiting howtobuycarpet.com, hosted by Alan J. Fletcher. With more than 30-years experience in the carpet business, Fletcher, a trusted consumer advocate for the past 10 years, provides free money-saving advice to consumers shopping for carpet, including insider secrets on carpet selection, padding, and installation, how to negotiate your best deal and how to avoid common carpet scams.
Mary Wiseman of Sacramento, California had a similar experience with Berber carpet in her home. "I didn't realize my dogs' nails would catch in the loops and leave little "pulls" all over the place." Wiseman said. "It was like carpeting your room with a knitted sweater."
Superior Steam Cleaners says that Berber carpet is a popular choice with consumers because of its elegant appearance. Its tufts are looped and aligned in rows for a clean uniform look", Superior Steam Cleaners said. "When choosing Berber, be sure to select one with smaller loops to get the best durability. But if you have young children or pets, it’s probably wise to avoid looped Berbers and go with a plush style to avoid the possibility of snags." Superior warns. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ellicott-City-MD/Superior-Steam-Cleaners to find out about carpet characteristics.
Choosing carpet wisely
"How long do you expect your carpet to last? This is an important question in determining what grade of carpet to buy and how much you need to spend", Fletcher says. When selecting a carpet, the type of fiber, face-weight, pile density, and tuft twist are the key specifications that determine carpet price, quality and durability. Carpet dealers today are increasingly reluctant to provide carpet specifications to consumers, Fletcher admits.
"Greedy carpet retailers and lazy salespeople don't want to take the time to educate their customers about carpet." Superior Steam Cleaners warns. "Most larger carpet retailers now use private labels to prevent consumers from comparison shopping. They are purposely making it harder for consumers to make wise and informed carpet choices, and that's just plain wrong. Go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ellicott-City-MD/Superior-Steam-Cleaners Read how to choose right carpet
Carpet warranties
Superior Steam Cleaners says that even the most expensive and well-made carpets can wear out prematurely if not cared for properly and that there are strict warranty requirements that must be followed to the letter to keep the manufacturer’s warranty in force. "Few consumers take the time to fully read their carpet warranty and follow the carpet manufacturer’s instructions for care and maintenance. Failure to do so will result in a voided warranty and premature carpet
Monday, July 26, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Monday, May 11, 2009
Carpet Cleaning: Truck Mount vs Portable Which is better for the consumer?
I have been asked this question many times through the years. Many consumers do not know the difference. They know that there is a machine that shoots down water and a vacuum hose sucking it out.
Both are acceptable Hot Water Extraction machines, which many carpet manufactures require to be done every 12-18 months to keep warranties valid, but there are a many differences. The manufactures also require the company that you use to be an I.I.C.R.C Certified Firm. (http://www.iicrc.org/)
I started my company in 1992 using portable machines. I was able to do a good job, but had to use a lot of cleaning solutions, a lot more time, and the carpet took a long time to dry. The water a portable uses can only be as hot as the water from your faucet, usually about 120°. However by the time it leaves your faucet, is put in the machine, and cleaning begins it is much colder. It’s a fact that for every 18 degree over 118° the chemical action of the cleaning solution doubles.
This is the first positive fact about using a Truck Mounted System. The water is a Truck Mount is heated constantly to over 220° (usually between 170-190° at the carpet fiber). That’s a lot more chemical action and a MUCH better clean. The increase in heat helps to more effectively break down soil, grease, and other spots for more complete removal. Also as a cleaner this means we use less cleaning solution meaning a healthier environment for all.
Water pressure is the next difference between a portable and a Truck Mount. In order for your carpets to be cleaned effectively the cleaning solution must be rinsed out completely. If it is not then the remaining solution will collect soil causing your carpet to get dirty faster. A portable is usually capable of 125-150 PSI. That is not a lot and if the technician does not take the time to thoroughly rinse then you are stuck with solution on your carpet. A carpet should be rinsed at 300-400 PSI, which a Truck Mount is more than capable of achieving. (Can go as high as 3000 PSI but only used at higher PSI for hard surfaces) The higher PSI helps to agitate the fibers, spots, and oils, and soil to better remove them all.
Vacuum power is the next difference between the two machines. Truck Mounts have much more power than portable machines. Even though Truck Mounts have higher water pressure the vacuum is powerful enough to have most carpets completely dry in 4-6 hours or less. Portables Do Not have this capability. Most portables require overnight to be the recommended dry time. This causes stains to wick back up to the surface and of course is very inconvenient to the consumer. Better vacuum suction also means better extraction of spots, soil, grease, dust, and many other contaminants from the carpet.
In closing, I would like to say that Truck Mounts are a better clean for the consumer. Hotter water, higher water pressure and better vacuum suction all mean a MUCH BETTER overall clean for the consumer. I hope this has been informative for all and if you would like more information about Carpet Cleaning go to: http://www.superiorsteamcleaners.com/ or http://www.iicrc.org/
Both are acceptable Hot Water Extraction machines, which many carpet manufactures require to be done every 12-18 months to keep warranties valid, but there are a many differences. The manufactures also require the company that you use to be an I.I.C.R.C Certified Firm. (http://www.iicrc.org/)
I started my company in 1992 using portable machines. I was able to do a good job, but had to use a lot of cleaning solutions, a lot more time, and the carpet took a long time to dry. The water a portable uses can only be as hot as the water from your faucet, usually about 120°. However by the time it leaves your faucet, is put in the machine, and cleaning begins it is much colder. It’s a fact that for every 18 degree over 118° the chemical action of the cleaning solution doubles.
This is the first positive fact about using a Truck Mounted System. The water is a Truck Mount is heated constantly to over 220° (usually between 170-190° at the carpet fiber). That’s a lot more chemical action and a MUCH better clean. The increase in heat helps to more effectively break down soil, grease, and other spots for more complete removal. Also as a cleaner this means we use less cleaning solution meaning a healthier environment for all.
Water pressure is the next difference between a portable and a Truck Mount. In order for your carpets to be cleaned effectively the cleaning solution must be rinsed out completely. If it is not then the remaining solution will collect soil causing your carpet to get dirty faster. A portable is usually capable of 125-150 PSI. That is not a lot and if the technician does not take the time to thoroughly rinse then you are stuck with solution on your carpet. A carpet should be rinsed at 300-400 PSI, which a Truck Mount is more than capable of achieving. (Can go as high as 3000 PSI but only used at higher PSI for hard surfaces) The higher PSI helps to agitate the fibers, spots, and oils, and soil to better remove them all.
Vacuum power is the next difference between the two machines. Truck Mounts have much more power than portable machines. Even though Truck Mounts have higher water pressure the vacuum is powerful enough to have most carpets completely dry in 4-6 hours or less. Portables Do Not have this capability. Most portables require overnight to be the recommended dry time. This causes stains to wick back up to the surface and of course is very inconvenient to the consumer. Better vacuum suction also means better extraction of spots, soil, grease, dust, and many other contaminants from the carpet.
In closing, I would like to say that Truck Mounts are a better clean for the consumer. Hotter water, higher water pressure and better vacuum suction all mean a MUCH BETTER overall clean for the consumer. I hope this has been informative for all and if you would like more information about Carpet Cleaning go to: http://www.superiorsteamcleaners.com/ or http://www.iicrc.org/
Saturday, April 11, 2009
“The True Cost of Not Maintaining Your Carpet”
“The True Cost of Not Maintaining Your Carpet”
Carpet is the third largest expense for most people: Behind their house and their car. Most carpets today are petroleum based, so when the price of oil skyrocketed so did the price of carpet. There were price increases almost every 2 weeks for months, leading to a almost 15% price increase last year. A carpet that cost $38.75 per yard now costs $45.00 per yard this is for a low end mid grade carpet. In this scenario if you bought a 100 yards of carpet the increase was $675.00. Now most of going to say that is really high that is because retailers now show you prices by the square foot, to get the price per yard you need to multiply by 9.
Carpet manufactures recommend their carpets be cleaned every 12-24 months. We recommend at least once a year, and we have 2 packages for ½ price cleanings every 6 months. Here are the reasons for this: Carpet acts like a filter collecting dirt, sand, oil, smoke, and grease among anything else walked or floating in.
The sand and small rocks act like sandpaper scratching off the carpet protector and damaging the fibers. Regular vacuuming and truck mount hot water extraction will remove these contaminates.
The oils and grease help hold the soils and other contaminates the carpet, this is where the truck mounted hot water extraction comes in which is the way most manufactures want it done, with a proper detergent and 180 degree plus water you can break down the oils to release the soils.
Most carpet cleaners have prices from .30 to .70 per square foot of $2.70-6.30 per square yard, which is 6-14% of what carpet cost today. Most of these prices are the same from 5 or more years ago. If you maintain your carpet semi-annually to annually your carpet can last and look great until your just tired of the color and WANT to change it, not change it because you have to.
This scenario is based on just 100 yards of carpet.
At $45 per yard, 100 yards would cost you $4500. Which is enough carpet to cover ½ a town house. If you cleaned the carpet yearly at a median price of .50 per square foot it would cost $450 per year. So with regular vacuuming and cleanings it would take 10 years to match the cost of replacing that carpet. With proper care and maintenance this carpet would still look good and not need to be replaced. Without proper care your carpet may only last 5 years before in needs to be replaced.
With proper care in those 5 years you would spend $2200 for regular cleanings. Without proper care you would of spent $0 on cleanings but NOW you have to spend $4500+ say 3% per year increase for a total of 15% or $675. So now your replacing your carpet for a total of $5175.
So you can properly care and maintain your carpet for $2200 or replace it for $5175. That means you save $2975 every 5 years just by properly caring for and maintaining your carpet with professional cleanings.
You not only save approximately 60% over 5 years but you also help save the planet by keeping your carpet out of out landfills. You also will save yourself the inconvenience of moving all your furniture from your home to have the carpet installed.
So you can maintain your carpet for the money, the planet, or your sanity. The key is to Maintain Your Carpet!
See our website at superiorsteamcleaners.com for our maintenance packages.
Carpet is the third largest expense for most people: Behind their house and their car. Most carpets today are petroleum based, so when the price of oil skyrocketed so did the price of carpet. There were price increases almost every 2 weeks for months, leading to a almost 15% price increase last year. A carpet that cost $38.75 per yard now costs $45.00 per yard this is for a low end mid grade carpet. In this scenario if you bought a 100 yards of carpet the increase was $675.00. Now most of going to say that is really high that is because retailers now show you prices by the square foot, to get the price per yard you need to multiply by 9.
Carpet manufactures recommend their carpets be cleaned every 12-24 months. We recommend at least once a year, and we have 2 packages for ½ price cleanings every 6 months. Here are the reasons for this: Carpet acts like a filter collecting dirt, sand, oil, smoke, and grease among anything else walked or floating in.
The sand and small rocks act like sandpaper scratching off the carpet protector and damaging the fibers. Regular vacuuming and truck mount hot water extraction will remove these contaminates.
The oils and grease help hold the soils and other contaminates the carpet, this is where the truck mounted hot water extraction comes in which is the way most manufactures want it done, with a proper detergent and 180 degree plus water you can break down the oils to release the soils.
Most carpet cleaners have prices from .30 to .70 per square foot of $2.70-6.30 per square yard, which is 6-14% of what carpet cost today. Most of these prices are the same from 5 or more years ago. If you maintain your carpet semi-annually to annually your carpet can last and look great until your just tired of the color and WANT to change it, not change it because you have to.
This scenario is based on just 100 yards of carpet.
At $45 per yard, 100 yards would cost you $4500. Which is enough carpet to cover ½ a town house. If you cleaned the carpet yearly at a median price of .50 per square foot it would cost $450 per year. So with regular vacuuming and cleanings it would take 10 years to match the cost of replacing that carpet. With proper care and maintenance this carpet would still look good and not need to be replaced. Without proper care your carpet may only last 5 years before in needs to be replaced.
With proper care in those 5 years you would spend $2200 for regular cleanings. Without proper care you would of spent $0 on cleanings but NOW you have to spend $4500+ say 3% per year increase for a total of 15% or $675. So now your replacing your carpet for a total of $5175.
So you can properly care and maintain your carpet for $2200 or replace it for $5175. That means you save $2975 every 5 years just by properly caring for and maintaining your carpet with professional cleanings.
You not only save approximately 60% over 5 years but you also help save the planet by keeping your carpet out of out landfills. You also will save yourself the inconvenience of moving all your furniture from your home to have the carpet installed.
So you can maintain your carpet for the money, the planet, or your sanity. The key is to Maintain Your Carpet!
See our website at superiorsteamcleaners.com for our maintenance packages.
Monday, December 8, 2008
how to prolong the life of you carpet
Tips You Can Use At Home To Prolong The Life Of Your Carpet
Nobody likes a worn, soiled-looking carpet. And I'm sure everyone has heard enough about traffic and wear patterns. Well here are a few tips you can use around your house to extend the wear life of your carpeting for FREE!And they are easy too!1. Rearrange furniture often in rooms that receive high traffic.Some of us fear change, but for others rearranging the furniture is almost a hobby! Either way, altering the flow of traffic through a room will spread out that daily wear and tear, creating a more even appearance and increasing the amount of time it takes wear to show. Plus, it gives you a fresh perspective on things! ;)2. Change your furnace filter at least monthly, or more often when its dry or dusty.Indoor air quality is a very hot topic nowadays. As I'm sure you know, your carpeting is also a filter in your house. Maintaining a fresh air filter will help reduce some of the soiling in your carpet. So let the filter do the filtering and let your carpet do the comforting!3. Consult with the professionals.Some rooms, homes, or areas have special flooring needs. Make sure each room is optimized to handle its use. Having the right flooring in the right areas will contribute to the overall cleanliness of your home and make cleanings alot easier.4. Vacuum regularly.Lets say that again: Vacuum Regularly! This is probably the single greatest controlling factor that decides how long your carpet will last and how quickly it soils. It may not be the most enjoyable task ever, but it is a very important one and can have a suprising effect not just on your carpet, but also on your physical and mental health! Once again, Indoor air quality has been linked to a number of illnesses, diseases and disorders. Keeping your carpet clean and fresh eliminates so many contaminates from your home.Vacuum at least once a week or more!5. Quality flooring.The cheapest carpeting is probably not the best. And while you may not need to shell out top dollar for the fanciest of carpets you should select a quality carpet. The extra cost up front will save you alot of time and stress later, when you need to quickly replace a cheap carpet that has worn too quickly. And of course, buyer beware. Always check out the dealer and installer and make sure they are a quality company.There you have it! 5 quick tips you can use to keep your home and carpets fresh, clean and healthy in between regular cleanings! Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or are looking for a good referral. If we don't have one directly, we can always point you in the right direction! :)
Nobody likes a worn, soiled-looking carpet. And I'm sure everyone has heard enough about traffic and wear patterns. Well here are a few tips you can use around your house to extend the wear life of your carpeting for FREE!And they are easy too!1. Rearrange furniture often in rooms that receive high traffic.Some of us fear change, but for others rearranging the furniture is almost a hobby! Either way, altering the flow of traffic through a room will spread out that daily wear and tear, creating a more even appearance and increasing the amount of time it takes wear to show. Plus, it gives you a fresh perspective on things! ;)2. Change your furnace filter at least monthly, or more often when its dry or dusty.Indoor air quality is a very hot topic nowadays. As I'm sure you know, your carpeting is also a filter in your house. Maintaining a fresh air filter will help reduce some of the soiling in your carpet. So let the filter do the filtering and let your carpet do the comforting!3. Consult with the professionals.Some rooms, homes, or areas have special flooring needs. Make sure each room is optimized to handle its use. Having the right flooring in the right areas will contribute to the overall cleanliness of your home and make cleanings alot easier.4. Vacuum regularly.Lets say that again: Vacuum Regularly! This is probably the single greatest controlling factor that decides how long your carpet will last and how quickly it soils. It may not be the most enjoyable task ever, but it is a very important one and can have a suprising effect not just on your carpet, but also on your physical and mental health! Once again, Indoor air quality has been linked to a number of illnesses, diseases and disorders. Keeping your carpet clean and fresh eliminates so many contaminates from your home.Vacuum at least once a week or more!5. Quality flooring.The cheapest carpeting is probably not the best. And while you may not need to shell out top dollar for the fanciest of carpets you should select a quality carpet. The extra cost up front will save you alot of time and stress later, when you need to quickly replace a cheap carpet that has worn too quickly. And of course, buyer beware. Always check out the dealer and installer and make sure they are a quality company.There you have it! 5 quick tips you can use to keep your home and carpets fresh, clean and healthy in between regular cleanings! Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or are looking for a good referral. If we don't have one directly, we can always point you in the right direction! :)
Thursday, November 6, 2008
To Clean or not to Clean
How to get the BEST Carpet Cleaning Ever
Helpful tips, tools, links and articles you can use to protect and maintain all your valuable floor coverings.
About Us
Randy Pierce started cleaning carpets in apartmrnts, then went to IICRC classes and started this company in 1992. I have worked my way up to a Master Textile Cleaner and recently a instructor for the IICRC.
Shaun Pierce started 5 years ago and is almost a Master Textile Cleaner one more class to take.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
To Clean or Not to Clean, That is the Question
We often hear from our clients how they "meant to get a cleaning done sooner." With today's hectic lifestyles it easy to overlook something as onerous as getting the carpeting, or other surfaces, cleaned.We understand. Really, we do.Just like you, we work hard all day, and when you get home, its easy to want to just zone out and forget the problems of the day and enjoy your own personal paradise. A cleaning can feel disruptive and intrusive. You have to find a company (hopefully one you can trust!, set a date, get stuffed moved, and tidy up. Plus, you have to be there (physically, anyways). So we put it off, wait "just a little longer," or just plain forget.It happens.However, procrastination carries its own costs with it:
Threat to health
Causes odors
Degrades air quality
Causes dyes and fabrics to deteriorate, possibly causing permanent damage
Maybe you don't want to spend the money, or maybe you want to avoid the hassle, or maybe you've had a bad cleaner in the past. But all of these excuses (and they are excuses) will only cost you more money and create more problems in the long run. Clean floors and furniture directly impacts the environmental quality of your home, your own personal retreat. And clean fabrics last longer. So keeping up on regular cleanings will save you money and preserve your health over the long run, which is invaluable.
How can you help stay clean between cleans?
Don't eat over the carpet
Don't wear outdoor shoes in the home
Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum!
Clean up spills (Properly!!!) when they happen
Further, there are good, trustworthy companies out there. Trust us, we know, we're one of them. ;) A good company will save you alot of time and hassle and treat you with the respect you deserve. Once you find that company, you can build a relationship that will have you in a clean, healthy home for years to come.
Stay tuned for more great tips on keeping clean and healthy! In the meantime, click this link to find a great cleaner in your area, Clarksville, Md. 21029
http://www.ethicalservices.com/
Helpful tips, tools, links and articles you can use to protect and maintain all your valuable floor coverings.
About Us
Randy Pierce started cleaning carpets in apartmrnts, then went to IICRC classes and started this company in 1992. I have worked my way up to a Master Textile Cleaner and recently a instructor for the IICRC.
Shaun Pierce started 5 years ago and is almost a Master Textile Cleaner one more class to take.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
To Clean or Not to Clean, That is the Question
We often hear from our clients how they "meant to get a cleaning done sooner." With today's hectic lifestyles it easy to overlook something as onerous as getting the carpeting, or other surfaces, cleaned.We understand. Really, we do.Just like you, we work hard all day, and when you get home, its easy to want to just zone out and forget the problems of the day and enjoy your own personal paradise. A cleaning can feel disruptive and intrusive. You have to find a company (hopefully one you can trust!, set a date, get stuffed moved, and tidy up. Plus, you have to be there (physically, anyways). So we put it off, wait "just a little longer," or just plain forget.It happens.However, procrastination carries its own costs with it:
Threat to health
Causes odors
Degrades air quality
Causes dyes and fabrics to deteriorate, possibly causing permanent damage
Maybe you don't want to spend the money, or maybe you want to avoid the hassle, or maybe you've had a bad cleaner in the past. But all of these excuses (and they are excuses) will only cost you more money and create more problems in the long run. Clean floors and furniture directly impacts the environmental quality of your home, your own personal retreat. And clean fabrics last longer. So keeping up on regular cleanings will save you money and preserve your health over the long run, which is invaluable.
How can you help stay clean between cleans?
Don't eat over the carpet
Don't wear outdoor shoes in the home
Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum!
Clean up spills (Properly!!!) when they happen
Further, there are good, trustworthy companies out there. Trust us, we know, we're one of them. ;) A good company will save you alot of time and hassle and treat you with the respect you deserve. Once you find that company, you can build a relationship that will have you in a clean, healthy home for years to come.
Stay tuned for more great tips on keeping clean and healthy! In the meantime, click this link to find a great cleaner in your area, Clarksville, Md. 21029
http://www.ethicalservices.com/
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