Archive for the ‘Carpet’ Category

Atlanta Carpet Cleaners: Choose Wisely

Posted on December 3rd, 2009 in Carpet | 2 Comments »

When you are looking for a carpet cleaning company in Atlanta, you need to look for a team of professionals who are going to get the job done right the first time, every time. There are people out there who purchase some outdated equipment and a bunch of harsh chemicals who suddenly appoint themselves expert carpet cleaners, but it simply doesn’t work that way. Like any other trade, carpet cleaning requires education, seasoning, and the full gamut of state-of-the art equipment and supplies.

Many of us think that the only voting that we do is at the polls, but that is not the case. We vote every time we spend a single dollar, so we should always choose wisely when we decide to patronize a company. Who deserves your business, or “vote,” as it were? If you care about the environment, you would want to contract the services of an Atlanta carpet cleaner who utilizes green, eco-friendly cleaning solutions. If you are concerned about the local economy and making sure that your neighbors have jobs (so they can spend and support your business in turn) it would make sense to support local businesses that give back to the community rather than national franchises. Let’s look at a few of the factors that people should consider when choosing a carpet cleaning company in Atlanta.

Experience Counts
There is no substitute for experience, and there are so many different types of carpets and upholstery on the market today it is especially important in the field of carpet cleaning. The more jobs you have completed successfully, the more you understand how to approach each subsequent assignment.  Plus, if you as a consumer select a carpet cleaning company who has been in business for a number of years, you can be pretty confident that they are satisfying their customers consistently.

Support Local Businesses
There are companies out there who do business in a number of markets around the country who try to present the appearance of being local, and many times the owners of these companies actually know nothing about the industry. They hire people with little to no experience and then turn them loose on your carpet. There are also the franchises that are bought by people who have some money to invest, but no background whatsoever in the cleaning of carpets. It is best to avoid these opportunists and do business with long standing, local professional carpet cleaners who have a history of customer satisfaction in the Atlanta area.

Seek Referrals
Word of mouth is the best form of advertising, and it is always a good idea to pick the brains of family members and friends to see which Atlanta carpet cleaning company they recommend. When you have visited someone’s home and recognize that they always have a nice clean, fresh smelling carpet, you may want to ask them who is maintaining their carpet and give that company a call!

Summary
When choosing an Atlanta carpet cleaner, keep these key points in mind:

  • Experience
  • Training
  • Certifications
  • Modernity of Equipment
  • Eco Friendly Cleaning Solutions
  • Customer Satisfaction Rating
  • Referrals/Reputation
  • Support Local Businesses

When you analyze the above criteria, it is hard to look past Atlanta Carpet & Duct Cleaning. We have been in business for over 20 years, and over that time we have built our business on positive word of mouth advertising and referrals. We use nothing but state-of-the-art, truck mounted equipment, and we are committed to the exclusive use of environmentally friendly cleaning products. We are a family owned and operated business and we live, work, and play right here in Atlanta, so we are constantly giving back to the local economy and helping to strengthen the economic foundation of the community. All of our technicians are licensed, bonded, and insured, and we are committed to 100% customer satisfaction. Atlanta Carpet & Duct has been the wise choice for Atlanta homeowners for more than two decades, and we look forward to continuing to build on our reputation for many years to come. Give us a call at (404) 496-5549 to schedule a service appointment or to request a free estimate.

Household Products & Indoor Air Quality

Posted on September 1st, 2009 in Carpet, Cleaning, Duct, Vent | No Comments »

A lot of people are talking about the health hazards of indoor air pollution these days, and they are significant, especially for people who suffer from asthma and specific types of allergies. As Atlanta carpet and duct cleaners, helping to maintain the indoor air quality of our customers is one of our primary functions. In addition to providing expert carpet and duct cleaning services, we also like to do all that we can to educate our customers so that they can better understand the causes of poor indoor air quality and take steps to keep the air that they are breathing clean and healthy.

Everyday household products are one of the most common and overlooked causes of indoor air pollution. Most of the typical products that we use to clean our homes, wash our clothes, and keep our bodies clean and fresh contain countless combinations of toxic chemicals that can impact our indoor air quality. As a duct and carpet cleaning company, we do a lot of research on the subject, and the American Lung Association offers the chart below that breaks down the common household products that cam diminish your indoor air quality.

If you take notice of the last type of household product that is covered in the chart, certain types of carpet and upholstery chemicals can have very harmful health effects. This is why Atlanta Duct Cleaning uses nothing but non-toxic, organic, environmentally friendly cleansing solutions. The green cleaning products that we use are tough on dirt, but very gentle on the environment.

The best defenses against the potentially damaging effects of these products is to use non-toxic versions, but if you do have to use them, use only as much as you need. Always make sure that you read the instructions and warnings on the labels, and when you can, contract the services of a professional who utilizes environmentally friendly alternatives to toxic chemicals.

The best way to keep your carpets and ducts clean without worrying about toxic chemical contamination is to contact the green cleaning team at Atlanta Carpet & Duct. We are standing by to serve your carpet and duct cleaning needs and we can be reached at (404) 509-8591.

Source: LungUSA.org

Why Paying for Carpet Cleaning Makes Sense

Posted on May 10th, 2009 in Carpet, Cleaning | 2 Comments »

When people ask us why they should pay to have their carpets cleaned, it is easy for us to explain, and nine times out of ten, they understand and agree that it is a good idea. You save money in the long run when you take care of your carpet, and you increase your quality of life along the way. We put together a few reasons why paying for carpet cleaning makes sense, and we would like to share them with you.

1.) Carpets are Expensive

When you make a big investment in something, you invariably want to keep it clean and looking good. This is why you see the car washes full each weekend, and why people have their expensive suits dry cleaned. When you look around your house and you do the math, you will find that your carpet is one of the larger investments that you have made. You would never think about not cleaning any other part of your home, and your carpet is exposed to myriad soiling agents, like pet stains and hair, assorted spills, and daily doses of whatever happens to be on the bottom of your shoes. Your carpet cost you a lot of money and it is very expensive to replace, so the relatively small price that you pay to keep it clean is money well spent.

2.) Carpets Need Maintenance

Like any other valuable possession, your carpet needs regular maintenance. If you are committed to a regular carpet cleaning schedule, your carpet will never become so soiled and stained that it gets “past the point of no return.” Plus, when one of our certified carpet maintenance technicians examines your carpet, he or she may see a rip, a tear, or a loose seam that can be easily repaired if it is addressed immediately. However, these types of things can lead to permanent damage if they are ignored, and yes, you will have saved a few dollars on carpet cleaning and simple maintenance. However, if you fail to take proper care of your carpet, you will find yourself spending thousands instead.

3.) Doing It Yourself Can Cause More Harm Than Good

As professional carpet cleaners we are often called upon to clean up and/or repair damage after someone has tried to clean their own carpets. What happens is that too much soapy water gets into the carpet, and the amateur equipment that people buy or rent does not provide strong enough suction to get it all out. A soapy residue remains in the carpet, and it acts as a magnet for all sorts of dirt, and at times, the backing and padding will become saturated and create a whole host of additional problems.

Problems also arise with the types of cleaning solutions that do-it-yourselfers use. Half the time they are not concentrated enough to get the carpet clean at all, and the rest of time they are too harsh and they can damage the carpet’s sensitive fibers. Professional carpet cleaners use environmentally safe solutions that are at once strong enough to cleanse the carpet thoroughly, but gentle enough to do no harm. Our licensed, insured, and bonded carpet cleaning technicians have worked with all types of carpets, and there are many different fibers out there and varied types of stains and quantities of soil build-up. The layman has no way of knowing which solution and cleansing technique is called for in a given situation, and they often wind up doing more harm than good.

4.) Having Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned Extends Their Life & Allows for Gentler Options

Having your carpets regularly cleaned by a professional carpet cleaning technician is simply going to save you far more money than it costs you in the long run, plus, it improves the quality of your day-to-day life. Your carpet absorbs a lot of wear and tear on a daily basis, but it was designed to do so. It will last a long time as long as you stick with an intelligent carpet maintenance schedule, and our seasoned technicians can prolong the life of your carpet through the utilization of powerful but gentle, state-of-the-art carpet cleaning solutions and truck mounted equipment.

Paying for carpet cleaning is a part of life, but the good news is that when you call Atlanta Carpet Cleaners, it costs you a little to save a lot down the road. We will give you an accurate estimate and leave your carpet looking spotless and smelling better than new. Don’t allow your carpet to get old before its time. Call the pros at Atlanta Carpet Cleaners, and after we are through, you’ll understand why we have been the carpet cleaners Atlanta has relied on for the last 25 years and counting.

How To Hire A Quality Cleaning Service

Posted on April 29th, 2009 in Carpet, Cleaning | No Comments »

When you have a large business and want to ensure that it remains clean, it makes sense to choose a janitorial service as a way to keep your offices and business premises clean. Many owners want to keep their business premises clean while remaining want to be mindful of the costs. Some companies hire a janitorial staff that cleans the building regularly.

However, small businesses may not have enough work to justify employing a janitor or a team of janitors. The cost of their hourly salary, as well as benefits can be too much for a small organisation. Large companies also may not want to hire full time janitors also because of the oversight problems.

They may also believe that it may be more cost effective to hire those individuals who specialize in janitorial services. Then they may want to contract with a janitorial company who can provide the office with the required level and quality of services.

You may want to choose a janitorial service that can provide you with a proper level of service. So whether you only need someone once a week or several times a day, the company should be amenable to your desires.

Most janitorial companies will ask you what your desires are and based on your unique needs will then quote you a price. Most people who use janitorial services want their offices cleaned. This usually includes taking out the trash, vacuuming, dusting, wiping down counters and sweeping.

If there are high traffic areas the custodian may need to clean these areas more regularly. If you would like more services, then you usually have to specify this. Other tasks they offer may include shampooing the carpet, changing light fixers or other services. These may cost extra and may not be included in the contract.

There are thousands of janitorial services out there to choose from so make sure you choose one who can maintain the professional image of your business or firm. The company should employ individuals who have passed a background check and are eligible to work.

Depending on your industry, you may also want to employ individuals who wear a daily uniform or dress professionally each day. You will also want to make sure that the company has all the proper insurance papers to insure the company is protected in the case of an emergency.

The company should regularly train their employees in terms of professionalism and safety standards. All employees should wear proper equipment to insure that there is not a hazard. They should be trained to react in the case of an emergency.

If you work with a company, they should have a point person that you can call at any time, who can address of your concerns or requests. You should also maintain an open relationship with the workers themselves just in case you have to ask them questions directly. If you have a business, why not consider janitorial services. These services can insure that your company maintains a certain level of professionalism in today’s business world.

Remove Any Ink Stain From Your Carpet

Posted on April 29th, 2009 in Carpet, Cleaning | No Comments »

This article aims to provide an easy method of removing the most difficult permanent ink stains. Whether it’s a simple pen ink stain or a difficult permanent marker stain, this article will provide the most efficient way to completely remove the ink stains.

Take action immediately here. Blot whatever ink you can get with a white terry cloth as soon as possible. In the beginning, just stick to soap and water. Take a tablespoon of dishwashing detergent and mix it with a cup of water. Apply a small amount of your carpet cleaner onto the permanent ink stain and lightly agitate the stain with a spoon. Do not scrub. Scrubbing will only distort the carpet fibers and make the ink stain more difficult to remove. Using a white terry cloth, blot whatever excess that the terry cloth allows. Repeat until there is no more ink transfer.

Rinse and blot as much as of the soap as you can. Apply a conservative amount of rubbing alcohol onto the ink stain. Agitate the ink stain with a spoon and blot dry with a white terry cloth. Again, repeat until there is no more ink transfer.

Nail polish remover is your next option (acetone). If rubbing alcohol doesn’t do the trick, just repeat the same process with the nail polish remover. Remember to always rinse and blot dry when there is no more ink transfer. In most cases, this will do the trick and completely remove the ink stain, even if it is permanent marker.

When all else fails an oxidizing treatment is your last resort. Take a small amount of household peroxide (3%) and apply a conservative amount of it onto the ink stain. You will want to cover the ink stain and let it sit for 24 hours in the dark. There are 3 things that will expedite the oxidation process - heat, ultraviolet light, and alkaline. If you are unfortunate enough to still have an ink stain on your carpet, reapply the peroxide, add your dishwashing/water detergent carpet cleaners, and let sit in direct sunlight for as long as possible. Still no luck? Rinse first. Then apply the peroxide to the ink stain and apply a white terry cloth on top of it. Take a hot iron and place it on top of the terry cloth and let sit for 20 seconds. Let the carpet cool and repeat. There are very few ink stains that can resist this series of stain removing methods. If the stain seems impossible to remove and you give up, call your local carpet cleaning company for assistance.