Cleaning Tips & Advice

How To Select A Professional Carpet Cleaning Company in Vancouver

2009-12-30T22:37:00.000-08:00

“Don’t Be Victimized By
Uninformed, Uneducated,
Or Downright Unscrupulous
Carpet Cleaners!”

What distinguishes one carpet cleaning company
from another?

This checklist will ensure that
You have asked
The right questions:

A Checklist of Questions To Ask:

 Do They Have Good References?
Our company is considered by many as one of the most reliable carpet cleaning companies in the area. We are often referred by some of the most seasoned professionals in the carpet industry. Our references are available upon request.

 What Kind Of Experience Do They Have?
We have cared for the finest of carpets and rugs. We have handled many specialty items and seen many unusual situations. Whether the carpet is natural or synthetic, our experience makes us one of the most experienced cleaners in the area.

 Are They Well Educated In Their Field?
Sadly, most companies in our industry do not invest in educating themselves in their field.
We regularly attend educational courses, certification schools, conventions, and study trade journals and books related to our work. We are abreast of cutting edge technology and changes that regularly occur in our industry.

 What Systems Do they Use?
Many cleaners use outdated equipment with components that do not work properly. At our company, you can be assured that we use state-of-the art equipment. The machines that we use are the most advanced systems available today. Our equipment does not overwet the carpet. You can expect maximum soil removal and the pile of the carpet will be “standing tall” again.

 Do They Use Top Quality Products?
Our vans are stocked with only the very best products from top manufacturers. We refuse to use discount products that tend to leave sticky residues behind and discolor the carpet. You can be assured that our products are effective, efficient and safe for your carpet, the consumer, and the environment. If a spot can be removed, our products will remove it.

 Do You Get What You Bargain For?
Never select a carpet cleaning company based on price. Carpet cleaning is not as cheap as some would like for you to think. Their technique is to advertise a low price to get in the door, so that they can push their low quality, ineffective goods at higher prices than the real professionals charge. Quality carpet cleaning is not cheap, but it will extend the life of your investment and care for your carpeting in a way that will save you money in the long run.

 Do They Guarantee Their Work?
After having an uninformed, uneducated, or downright unscrupulous carpet cleaner in your home, the hardest part is getting them back to fix the problem. At our company, we offer a 100% money-back guarantee. We do not want to have anyone in our community that feels that they paid us for something they did not get.

 Do They Offer A Referral Program?
We want to reward you for sending customers to us. For each new customer that you send to us, we will send you a 10% referral certificate for what they spend with us the first time. You may use the referral certificate for cash or services. And remember that we guarantee our work; so help your friends, neighbors and co-workers enjoy high quality carpet cleaning.

Don’t Be Victimized
By Uninformed, Uneducated,
And Sometimes Unscrupulous
Carpet Cleaners!

Call Us Today!
604-839-9008
www.1stClassCarpetCleaning.com

How To Care For Your Area Rugs

2009-09-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

The information here offers easy, basic steps for the care & protection of an Area Rug.

•Rotation - To insure even wear, your rug should be rotated once a year. Depending on the traffic, the rotation may vary from six months to two years.

•Vacuuming - Area rugs, like most carpeting, should be vacuumed on a regular basis to remove dirt and restore life to the fibers. Be sure not to vacuum the fringe with your beater bar! Use the end of a vacuum hose from a canister vacuum.

•Padding - A quality pad used under your rug helps protect it from dirt, wear and slippage.

•Spot and Spill Procedures - Make sure that you safely and immediately clean up spots and spills before they set.

First, soak up the excess liquid by blotting with a clean absorbent material. Do not brush or rub the stain.

Then spot-clean with a mild detergent-white vinegar-water solution. Do-not over wet.

Rinse area thoroughly with water and a small amount of white vinegar. Avoid wetting the rug's backing.

Blot dry until most of the moisture has been absorbed.

Allow to air dry. A fan or cool hair dryer can be used to hasten the drying process.

For stains that do not come out using these methods, ask our cleaning specialists.

604-839-9008
www.1stClassCarpetCleaning.com

How To Care For Your Carpet

2009-09-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

When it comes to maintaining your carpet, one of the most critical areas of focus is the traffic areas. If ground in soil is not removed on a regular basis, the traffic areas will begin to wear excessively. The dirt is extremely abrasive against the fibers of the carpet as you walk back and forth on it. The second area of focus, of course, is spot removal. You must react to “danger” spots immediately. Red wine, red beverages, urine, blood, etc. can cause a permanent stain if not treated immediately. Listed below are the steps that you must take to properly maintain your carpeting.

Warranty
Copies of specific warranties on your carpet purchase may be available from your carpet retailer. Stain resist warranties can vary from 5 to 20 years. ALL STAIN RESIST WARRANTIES REQUIRE REGULAR CLEANING AND IMMEDIATE SPOT REMOVAL.

Vacuuming
Vacuum your carpet often. Once or twice a week at least. Vacuuming removes the sharp soil that can cut and slice the fiber causing premature wear. Much of this soil is not visible to the eye. Vacuum before the carpet looks soiled. Remove any loose particles such as loose food, leaves, pieces of crayon, bugs, etc. as these items can cause a spot on the carpet.

Professional Cleaning
As a general rule, professional cleaning by a professional, certified firm should take place about once per year. For extremely heavy traffic areas, cleaning may be required more often. Proper professional cleaning will not leave a sticky residue behind and can be done as many times per year as needed. MANY STAIN RESIST WARRANTIES REQUIRE PROFESSIONAL CLEANING EVERY 2 YEARS. Professional cleaning removes the damaging soil from the traffic areas that vacuuming has not been able to remove. WARNING: UNINFORMED CARPET CLEANERS MAY VOID THE WARRANTY, BE VERY SELECTIVE WHICH COMPANY YOU HIRE.

Spot Removal and Interim Cleaning
Immediate spot removal is key to a clean carpet. Great care also must be taken in how spot cleaning is performed. When a carpet is new, or has sufficient protector on it, plain tap water will remove many spots. However for those spots that will not move easily with water, you must use a spot cleaner. Select a spot cleaner that is recommended by the carpet manufacturer or your trained, certified professional cleaner. Most spot removers that are purchased over the counter leave too much soap residue and can cause yellowing. Avoid using foam carpet cleaners or any product that is not made specifically for carpet.

Apply spot cleaner sparingly to white terry cloth and gently massage spot causing it to transfer into the cloth. Never pour spot cleaner directly on carpet. If the product that you are using seems to cause the spot to re-soil over a few week period, discontinue use. Any spot that you are not able to remove, and for pet urine or feces, call your professional cleaner immediately.

Protective Coatings
Residential carpets are treated with stain resist properties and soil resistors known as Dupont Teflon or 3M Scotchguard. After a period of 2 to 3 years, some of the soil-resistor wears off. At that point you should consider having a professional carpet cleaner re-apply the treatment after professional cleaning. The soil resistor will help the soil slide off of the carpet easier when vacuuming, spots will be easier to remove, and professional cleaning will be more effective.

How To Care For Your Upholstery

2009-06-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

Rotate all loose cushions frequently to assure even wear. Vacuum dust & dirt from all fabric, cracks & crevasses. By far, Fabric Protection is the best possible way to extend the life of your upholstery. Read the short section on how fabric protection works to find out why.

• Vacuum often to reduce grit that can cause abrasion.
• Reverse loose cushions weekly for even wear.
• Protect from the sun. Ultraviolet light can cause deterioration.
• Keep Pets off of furniture. Pet's body oils rub off and are very difficult to remove.
• Use caution with clothing such as Blue Jeans. Fabric dyes can transfer onto upholstered furniture.

All upholstered furniture will become soiled through use. Most spills & soil on fabric protection treated upholstery will clean easily and quickly provided that the proper cleaning procedures are followed. A fabric protection application is not an absolute impenetrable barrier and improper cleaning methods can damage both the fabric and the treatment.

1. Blot (don't rub) spills immediately with a clean absorbent cloth while spill is still fresh. Dried spills are more difficult to remove.
2. Identify the cleaning code for your type of fabric. This is very important to determine the type of cleaner to use.
3. Always read & follow the instructions on the cleaning agent.
4. Use distilled water with the cleaning agent if water is called for (W & WS Codes Only)
5. Pretest any cleaner on any fabric in a hidden area. Check for Color fastness and fabric compatibility.
6. Keep a small spill small. Work lightly, blotting from center to the edges. "Feather" the edges by dampening edges irregularly and blotting quickly to avoid rings.
7. Quickly dry a cleaned spot using a small fan or blow dryer on low.

Fabric Protection

Choosing to apply fabric protection is the best possible way to protect your new upholstered furniture and keep it looking new.

Treated Upholstery will:
• Last Longer
• Look Better longer
• Clean easier

The fabric protection treatment is a spray applied to all surfaces of the upholstered item. The application "wicks" into the fibers of the fabric creating a protective barrier against soil and stains.

Fabric Protection Treatment
• Has no smell & is non-allergenic
• Does not change the look of the fabric
• Does not change the feel of the fabric

Is Protector Worth The Investment?

2009-05-31T09:38:00.000-07:00

Absolutely!

It provides a barrier on top on the textile.
This will allow for dust, dry particle to release from the fabric when vacuuming. Your home will be healthier and it will allow the carpet to trap/filter dust in the air.

When a spill occurs it will resist the spill penetrating carpet and staining. This is similar to non-stick pans and wax on vehicles.

The life of carpet will be increased.
If your a tenant and plan to stay a while, it will help recover damage deposits.
If your a landlord it means prolonged replacement.

Most manufacturers recommend reapplication in the 3rd year.

Don't forget about your upholstery, vehicle, ties, jackets, area rugs, grout.

"WOOLSAFE" Approved Fabric Care Specialist

2009-04-16T21:11:00.000-07:00

I, Harry Deligiannidis, owner of First Class Carpet Cleaning, have completed and passed examination and am now a "WoolSafe" Approved Fabric Care Specialist (Registrant Number: 2031)to complement my Master Textile Cleaner Designation.

Harry Deligiannidis
First Class Carpet Cleaning
604-839-9008

SPOT CLEANING CARPETING

2009-03-09T22:17:00.000-07:00

These are a few cleaning products that you should have in your arsenal to tackle spills, stains, and spots.

WD40 works great for grease, ink, cosmetics, gum, wax anything that is not organic.

1 part white vinegar to 2 parts water or 3.5% Hydrogen peroxide works great for organic stains like coffee, tea, wine, pet stains, and water stains.

Odours can be treated with enzyme based products and hydrogen peroxide.

Careful with products containing oxygen as it is possible to bleach fabrics especially natural fibres(wool, cotton, silks).

Don't Trust Your Area Rugs To Just Anyone.

2009-03-05T21:34:00.000-08:00

First Class Carpet Cleaning in Vancouver, BC enjoys one of the best reputations in our communtiy and offers a 100% Money-back Guarnatee!
Visit us at www.1stclasscarpetcleaning.com