Carpet Cleaning Tips for Home Owners in Portland, OR & Vancouver, WA

How To Find A Portland Carpet Cleaner

2009-11-23T21:44:00.000-08:00

Finding a great carpet cleaner can be a tough at best. Today, many people start by typing in google maps Portland carpet cleaning to see who is available in their area. Google maps is a great resource for finding a great carpet cleaner. The best part about seeing businesses listed the map is that you are able to read the cleaner's reviews to help you make an educated decision. You even have the option to click on the business name to get a link to the carpet cleaner's website. Some of these cleaners even have video testimonials to boot! From the web page link you can also see what other services the cleaner offers, such as upholstery, tile and grout, and carpet cleaning.

So if you do not have a personal referral when selecting a carpet cleaner then take a look at Google Maps and read the reviews.

Today's Tip: How To Safely Use Spotters on Carpet and Upholstery

2009-11-05T07:31:00.000-08:00

Today, I am going to discuss some tips on how to safely use spotters on carpet or upholstery. When using a spotter it is very important to make sure the spotter is safe for the type of fabric you will be removing the spot from. For example, if you are trying to remove a spot from wool or other natural fiber you need to make sure that the spotter you are using is safe for that type of fiber. You never want to use an oxygen based cleaner on wool or other natural fibers.

Another great tip for spot removal is to obviously follow the directions on the label and always try a sample on some hidden area on the piece your a trying to remove the spot from first.

Okay, now for the secret carpet and upholstery spotting tip! Take your spotter of choice and spray it into a towel, not into the upholstery or carpet. Yes, you read that correct spray the spotter into the towel. With the spotter in the towel you will not be leaving an excessive amount of spotter in the piece you are cleaning. Excess spotter is one reason spots reappear later. Now blot the area with a towel, do not rub! Put pressure on the spot. If you need more spotter then put some more on the towel and repeat blotting. Keep blotting until the spot is gone!

And there you go! If you need further help with any spotting issues in your carpet or upholstery, please give us a call. At Sean's, carpet and upholstery cleaning Portland, we are spotting experts. Please visit our website at: http://www.seanscarpetcare.com

Holiday Tips For Better Health

2009-10-21T21:42:00.000-07:00

 The holidays are almost here and soon the family will be coming over to spend time together. To help I have provided a short article written

health writer Tara Parker-Pope. Some of these ideas are not new, but put together, they can make a big difference in your weight, fitness level, and mental health.

  Eat together at the table: People consume more when eating in front of the TV. And foods eaten “on the go” are generally higher in calories.

 Play with kids for at least 20 minutes a day. Ride a bike, jump rope, play touch football or soccer. Visit www.caloriecontrol.org/exercalc.html to find calories burned in various sports.

 Focus on favorite foods. Instead of trying to give up your favorites, eat smaller portions or switch to lower-fat versions.

 Eat soup. “Volume” foods like soup leave you feeling full on fewer calories.

 Eat at home. Restaurant food has more fat, calories, and sodium.

The part about increasing mental health is having your carpets and upholstery cleaned for the holidays. Having a clean home for the holidays provides peace of mind. Imagine sitting on some freshly cleaned sofas and chairs. You will feel better throughout the holidays.

The trick is to not wait to long before scheduling your favorite carpet cleaner. During the holiday times they become very busy because their previous clients pre-book almost all of their clean availability.

If you need help with your upholstery cleaning needs, please give us a call at 503-922-4875 / 360-901-8686 or visit: www.seanscarpetcare.com

upholstery cleaning Portland

Does Teflon in Carpet Cleaning Protector Really Cause Cancer

2009-10-11T22:12:00.000-07:00

Something I found interesting, since many carpet protectors contain teflon and that most new carpet comes with protector installed at the factory.

Teflon has not been found to cause cancer. Perfluotooctanoic Acid (PFOA), a chemical used in the synthesis of Teflon, has been labeled a “likely carcinogen” by a panel advising the Environmental Protection Agency, but Teflon pans do not emit PFOA when used properly.

Teflon cookware might emit a small amount of PFOA when it’s heated to extreme temperatures – for example, when a Teflon frying pan has been left empty on a heated burner for an extended period. Even then, it has not been established that overheated Teflon produces a dangerous amount of PFOA. Still, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to dispose of a Teflon pan that has been left empty on a heated burner.

Approximately 95% of the population has some amount of PFOA in their bloodstream – but most of this PFOA likely comes from stain- and water-repelling treatments used on carpets and on fabrics. Grease-resistant food packaging, such as the microwave popcorn bags and cardboard fast food boxes, also might contain small amounts of PFOA.

The fact that PFOA is in our bodies does not mean that we are all going to die from PFO-related cancers. Individuals who have worked in factories producing PFOA, and perhaps some people who live in neighboring areas, seem to have the highest levels of PFOA. – Ronald Melnick, PhD, senior toxologist with NIEHS

If you need help with your carpet cleaning Portland or have questions regarding your carpet, please give me a call at 503-922-4875 / 360-901-8686 or visit my website at: www.seanscarpetcare.com

Oxygen Cleaners, As Seen On TV Are Safe For Cleaning Everything, Right?

2009-10-01T19:27:00.000-07:00

Many of the popular oxygen cleaners that are available in stores and seen on TV seem like miracle stain removers. The question is, "Are the safe on every type of fabric?"

The answer is, "No".

In the carpet cleaning industry professional carpet cleaners use specialized cleaners that add or remove oxygen to hide stains everyday. The thing to understand is that these type of stain removers are not suitable for every type of fabric. On some types of carpet and upholstery fibers oxygen cleaners can remove color or ruin the fabric or carpet.

The Truth!

Cleaners that add oxygen or remove oxygen to remove (hide) stains are actually bleaches!!! Yes, it's true. Many red removers are actually known as reducers and hide the stain by removing an oxygen molecule. Usually stain removers that have oxygen in the name add an oxygen molecule to remove (hide) the stain.

Warning!

Natural fibers need special care when cleaning. It is never a good idea to use oxygen cleaners on natural fibers. Using oxygen cleaners on natural fibers will usually pull the color out of the carpet.

Side note: Did you know...One way professional carpet cleaners verify wether the fabric they are about to clean is wool or not is by using bleach. This is true! Wool dissolves in bleach.

With upholstery spot cleaning be careful. Upholstery is usually made with a blend of natural and synthetic fibers, so it is important to be careful with oxygen when trying to clean upholstery. If you are not sure what your upholstery is made from then, please call a professional portland upholstery cleaner.

If you need help with your upholstery or carpet cleaning needs then please give us a call at 503-922-4875 or 360-901-8686 or visit my website at: www.seanscarpetcare.com

I Just Bought New Carpet, So I Do not need to Hire A Carpet Cleaner For Years, Right?

2009-09-21T22:29:00.000-07:00

Great, you just bought some new carpet and now you get a break from looking for a carpet cleaner in Portland for the next few years. I often hear this when talking to new customers about carpet cleaning that just bought new carpet. The truth: At best this maybe true. The first thing you should check before putting your carpet cleaning plans on hold is to check the warranty that comes with the new carpet you purchased. Many carpet manufacturers require the carpet to be cleaned by an IICRC certified carpet cleaner at least every 6-18 months to uphold the warranty. So before putting off your cleaning plans, please make sure to check your warranty to make sure you follow the manufacturer requirements to uphold the warranty.

If you need help with your cleaning needs or have questions about carpet cleaning, please visit my website: www.seanscarpetcare.com or call us at 503-922-4875 / 360-901-8686.

How Do I Clean My Cute Sisal or Jute Rug?

2009-09-12T09:30:00.000-07:00

I am sure this has happened to you before, "Wow, look at that cute rug! That would go great in my new bathroom. SOLD!"

Before purchasing that cute rug you should consider the type of fiber the rug is made out of and where it will be placed in your home. I know this is not a very cute thing to think about, but it is important. Hey, I am just trying to help out. Some types of fibers are expensive or impossible to clean.

Rugs that are made out of natural fibers, such as wool, sisal, and jute are fibers that have some complexities to clean. Complex fibers require the services of a Portland carpet cleaner with specialized rug cleaning knowledge.

Let's talk about a couple of the previously mentioned fibers. Wool is a great natural fiber. This fiber lasts a long time with proper cleaning. The problem is that it requires specialized cleaning methods that are often expensive. Also, wool gets a little offended by pet urine. Once a pet urine accident occurs on wool the effective removal options are limited.

Jute fiber rugs are pretty much impossible to clean, since they shrink when introduced to water. Jute was the backing used in old carpets and was known to pull the tack less strips out of the floor in some water damage situations.

Sisal is another natural fiber that is impossible to clean. When this type of rug gets dirty or stained by pet urine the only real option is to throw the rug away. Sorry :(

Hope this information is helpful when selecting your next rug. If the rug is really too cute to pass up cute then go for it! Now, you know the future cleaning options.

If you need help in finding the best carpet cleaning Portland, to clean your rugs, upholstery, or even tile and grout then please give us a call or visit our website: www.seanscarpetcare.com

What Does Hiring a Certified Portland Carpet Cleaner Mean For You?

2009-08-30T21:42:00.000-07:00

Not all carpet cleaners in Portland, OR are the same. Some have been cleaning for years and some have just started. Some of these cleaners are certified. What does hiring a certified Portland carpet cleaner mean for you?

To become a certified carpet cleaner the cleaner must study in a classroom environment and pass written examination covering several topics.

Some covered topics are:

pH factors involved in soil removal
Proper vacuuming techniques
Fiber composition & manufacturing methods
Types of soil
Proper equipment handling
Safety & professionalism standards
And other information

What You Need to Understand

It takes time and devotion to become certified in carpet cleaning. As with everything it is one thing to learn how to do something correctly and another thing to practice what you have learned.

Two important steps that are commonly skipped by carpet cleaners in the carpet cleaning industry, which are taught in all IICRC Carpet Cleaning Tech certification classes, is vacuuming and proper rinsing of carpet.

Up to 80% of the soil is located in the lower two thirds of the carpet. Actually, if the carpet is cleaned with out being properly vacuumed first the soil in the lower part of the carpet turns into mud.

Another important part of carpet cleaning is to neutralize the detergent used to clean the carpet. If the carpet is rinsed with detergent and not a neutralizing rinse the carpet will become crunchy and sticky not soft and soil repelling.

So before hiring any Portland carpet cleaning company check my website to read my FREE guide on of How to Hire A Carpet Cleaner.

Or give us a call to discuss your cleaning needs at 503-922-4875 or 360-901-8686.

Best Carpet Cleaning Portland, OR

Are Your Carpets Worn Out?

2009-08-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

Have you been told that your carpets are worn out? Maybe you have been told that those major spots will not come out because your carpets are worn?

The truth is that with the proper chemistry and specialized cleaning procedures worn out looking carpets can restored to new looking condition.

Hiring a Portland carpet cleaner with an education in the different types of carpet fibers and what causes them to soil is the key to restoring worn out looking carpets. The trick is understanding the proper procedures to get them entirely clean.

If you have questions regarding carpet cleaning in Portland, please give a call at 503-922-4875 / 360-901-8686 or visit our website at: www.seanscarpetcare.com

What is Full Service Carpet Cleaning?

2009-08-07T21:02:00.000-07:00

Okay, so you have had your carpet cleaned over the years. Maybe you are like many of my clients having hired different carpet cleaning companies in Portland every year to clean your carpet. Maybe you have been lucky and found one company that has cleaned your carpet year after year. You feel that they did a pretty good job. The question is, "Have they provided superior service and value?"

To receive complete full service carpet cleaning you need to find a company that follows a carpet cleaning process recommended by the carpet manufacturers.

Each step in carpet cleaning process recommended by carpet manufacturers is designed to safely clean your carpets and keep them looking new longer. In some cases hiring a professional Portland carpet cleaning company is required to maintain your carpet manufacturer's warranty.

If you need help with hiring a great Portland carpet cleaning company, please give us a call at 503-922-4875 or 360-901-8686 or visit us at: www.seanscarpetcare.com

Need A Great El Paso Carpet Cleaner

2009-07-31T17:20:00.000-07:00

At Sean's Carpet Care we work hard to be the best Portland Carpet Cleaning company. It is a benefit to have friends from different parts of the U.S. to stay informed of the best carpet cleaning techniques.

If you are ever in El Paso Texas and need the Best El Paso Carpet cleaner do not hesitate to call Fibercare. Tell them Sean sent you!

Why Do I Have Mold In My Bathroom Shower?

2009-07-27T22:10:00.000-07:00

You clean and clean your bathroom shower and no matter how hard you try you cannot seem to get rid of the mold. Sometimes you get rid of the soap scum in the shower, but he mold won't seem to leave.

It is not uncommon in the Portland area to experience a few issues with mold over time.

One of the best options for controlling mold in the bathroom is to control the moisture. One easy way is to run the fan in the bathroom after taking a shower. This will help let out the excess moisture and lessen the ideal conditions for mold to grow.

On a side note: If you are having trouble removing soap scum in the shower then, please call us for a free demonstration of our process for removing soap scum. We have a great cleaning process that can make tile look like new again.

503-922-4875 / 360-901-8686

Sean's Carpet Care

Portland's Best Value in Carpet Cleaning

What Should It Cost To Clean My Carpet?

2009-07-22T19:16:00.001-07:00

Okay, so you have realized that it is time to have your carpet cleaned. You have seen Portland carpet cleaners in the phone book. Carpet cleaning flyers have been put on your front door. You have even searched for Portland carpet cleaners on google, yahoo, and bing etc.

While looking through the ads two questions come to mind: 1. Who should I call 2. What does it cost to have my carpets cleaned?

Actually, both of these questions go hand in hand. Before looking for a carpet cleaner in Portland you need to ask yourself, "What am I looking for in a carpet cleaner?"

Are looking to hire a carpet cleaner that cleans carpet properly, following IICRC cleaning standards, or are you looking for a company that offers a splash and dash type of service?

Some of the splash and dash companies are very cheap, because no one would pay them any more for the service they offer. A few other companies in Portland offer a very thorough carpet cleaning service and charge a reasonable price. The difference is you pay a little more and receive an extremely though cleaning of your carpets. Carpets that stay fluffy and healthy longer.

To receive the Most Thorough Carpet Cleaning, please give us a call 503-922-4875 or 360-901-8686. Sean's Carpet Care

Portland's Best Value in Carpet Cleaning

Why is My Carpet Flat Matted and Crushed?

2009-07-18T20:34:00.000-07:00

Have you noticed that your carpets are looking flat matted and crushed? Are you wondering if there is help available or is it time to replace the carpets?

Some carpets crush and become matted more easily than others. A Portland Carpet Cleaner with specialized cleaning knowledge can fix the flat and matted carpets making them look like new again. Polyester is a carpet fiber that crushes easily and therefore not much can be done to restore the flat and matted look of the carpet.

When choosing which carpet to buy make sure not to be FOOLED by the purchase price... very expensive carpet doesn't mean it is made from the best fibers. It's like comparing the cheapest Mercedes to the most expensive Chevy.

Some of the best carpets are made from Olefin, Wool, and Nylon.

For help with your carpet cleaning needs in Portland, please give us a call at 503-922-4875 or visit us at: Sean's Carpet Care

Simple Red Wine Removal

2009-07-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

Wine…goes great with meals and special occasions. But what to do when it spills?

The first step is to blot up the spill. To blot up the spill take a folded, dry terry towel and place it over the spill. Then press or stand on it to absorb the liquid. Turn it over to a dry side after the first side has soaked up as much as possible. Repeat until the towel no longer soaks up any wine.

Second, use some spot remover or club soda on the remaining colored area. Blot as above with a clean towel. Then, use a little plain water, and repeat the blotting process.

There you go...No more stain!

If you have a home carpet cleaning machine then this is a perfect job for it! Use it to suck up the wine, then to rinse out the spotter or club soda with plain water. However, you may want to use a dry towel as a final blotting step to speed drying.

If you have any trouble with wine color coming back then call a professional carpet cleaner. In the Portland, OR area, call Sean's Carpet Care at 503-922-4875

Bathroom Shower Tile and Grout Cleaned and Restored

2009-07-04T22:15:00.000-07:00

Have you been looking at dirty bathroom tile and grout stains for too long? Have you tried to scrub and clean your tile and grout to no avail? Have you often wondered if there is any hope?

The answer is YES!

A professional Carpet Cleaning company with experience in tile and grout cleaning can remove those ugly tile and grout stains and make them look like new again. Often the tile and grout can be cleaned and re-sealed in the same day!

A professional carpet cleaner knows the proper secrets and has the specialized tools to make your tile look fantastic again.

Give us a call to learn more about your bathroom tile and grout cleaning issues. We can help!

Sean's Carpet Care
503-922-4875

When "Bargain" Cleaning Becomes Expensive!

2009-06-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

When hiring a Portland area carpet cleaning company make sure to receive value. The photo below is a picture showing the results from a "splash and dash" carpet cleaning company. The entire rental home was cleaned in less than 45 minutes!

When the owners of the property came by to look at the home, they were understandably unhappy with the results, and called us to re-clean the home.

Fortunately, the owner of the property was able to recover the money she spent from the previous cleaning company, but only after placing several heated phone calls and after receiving an education in carpet cleaning.

Click here to learn more about carpet cleaning in Portland, or call 503-922-4875/360-901-8686 for a FREE carpet audit, and answers to your cleaning questions!

I Just Had My Carpet Cleaned and The Traffic Lanes Are Still There

2009-06-21T15:27:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had your carpets cleaned and noticed the next day that the traffic lanes are still there?

Not all Portland area carpet cleaners are the same. A few have a specialized understanding of carpet cleaning chemistry and can remove those ugly traffic lanes.

A specialized cleaner can help restore carpets that look worn out. The truth is that the carpets may not be worn out, but just need some specialized attention.

I have specialized skills that can often restore worn out looking carpets to like new condition.

Call me for a Free Carpet Audit, so I can help you resolve the issue with your worn out looking carpets.

Until next time....Sean

Portland's Best Value in Carpet Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, Tile & Grout Cleaning, and Oriental Rug Cleaning

What Causes the Dark Lines on the Edges of the Carpet?

2009-06-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

I have talked about the dark lines around the edges of the walls several times in my blogs. Often, when performing carpet cleaning in Portland homes I have noticed the existence of black lines around the walls.

There seems to be some confusion as to what causes these lines and what can be done to correct them.

These lines are called filtration lines. They are caused by dirty air traveling around the edges of the carpet throughout the home. Generally, if the air filters in the home have not been changed regularly then unfiltered dirty air that looks like soot travels throughout the home and rests on the edges of the carpet and under the door openings.

These type of lines can be removed using specialized cleaning procedures.

So please change your air filters on time avoiding filtration soiling issues. This will not only improve the appearance of the carpet, but provide a healthier living environment as well.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

Portland's Best Value in Carpet Cleaning

Carpet Cleaning Voids My Carpet Manufacturers Warranty, Right?

2009-06-05T19:11:00.000-07:00

In the past it was believed that carpet cleaning would damage carpets. Today, hiring a professional carpet cleaner to clean your carpets will not damage them and actually helps them last longer, maintains the manufacturer warranty, improves indoor air quality, and provides peace of mind.

Having said all of that, hiring a carpet cleaner that has not been trained and certified by the IICRC may not understand the proper cleaning methods to clean your carpet. When getting your carpets cleaned it is best to hire a certified professional carpet cleaner. To maintain your carpet manufacturers warranty one of the requirements is to hire a certified carpet carpet that uses an IICRC approved cleaning method.

If you need the assistance of a Professional Portland Carpet Cleaner, please give us a call: Sean's Carpet Care 503-922-4875 / 360-901-8686

What Will Your Carpet Cleaning Process Remove?

2009-05-24T21:21:00.000-07:00

Ok, so you are thinking of hiring a Portland-area carpet cleaner to clean your carpet. You are curious at what the cleaner will be able to remove during the cleaning process and what will be permanent.

Generally, most of the brown stains and grey/black spots will come out. If the color is blue, red, or yellow then there are some odds involved.

Red spots and stains can be one of the most difficult stains to remove. Usually, within a few minutes a carpet cleaner can tell if the red is starting to move. There is roughly about a 90% chance that the red spot will come out, but then there is that sneaky last 10%

The blue stains and yellow stains have a better chance of being removed from spot cleaning. The Portland carpet cleaner you hire should go over the stained areas and discuss the probability of each stained area being removed.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give us a call...Sean

Portland's Best Value in Carpet Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, Tile & Grout Cleaning, and Oriental Rug Cleaning

Spring Cleaning in Portland Has Begun!

2009-05-18T16:44:00.000-07:00

Winter is finally over and I'm sure all of us are ready to get out and smell the fresh warm air after such a long cold and troublesome winter. Now, is a good time to have your carpets, upholstery, and tile & grout cleaned. Cleaning these items improves the indoor air quality and provides peace of mind.

At Sean's Carpet Care, we offer several specials, free in-home carpet audits, an 11-Step Cleaning Process, Guaranteed Results, and more.

We also offer help with how to hire a Professional Portland Carpet Cleaner.

The best value in Portland Carpet Cleaning

Which Sofa to Buy?

2009-05-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

The choice of which sofa or other upholstered furniture to purchase is often based solely on the looks of the item or the advice of an interior decorator. Before purchasing upholstery consumers should consider the cleaning process required to clean the item.

Upholstery is not carpet and specialized training and equipment is required to safely clean furniture. Most types of upholstery is tagged dry clean only.

If you purchase upholstery that is marked dry clean only then the list of Portland carpet cleaners with the education and equipment to clean the upholstery is limited.

Before purchasing that cute sofa, please check to see what type of cleaning is required to maintain it or find a Portland carpet cleaner that has specialized upholstery cleaning skills.

We specialize in upholstery cleaning and travel throughout the Portland area.

Take care,

Sean
Sean's Carpet Care

Carpet Buckled After Cleaning, HELP!

2009-05-03T15:07:00.000-07:00

Did you just have your carpets cleaned and now have carpet buckling issues?

Don't panic! Buckling is normal and usually caused by improperly stretched carpets. In the past, I mean about 30 years ago, carpets would shrink when over wet, because the backing had a natural material called jute that absorbed water.

Today, carpet backing is made from synthetic materials and doesn't absorb water. When the carpets get wet the fibers relax and that is when buckling occurs. After about 3 days the carpets will be totally dry and the buckling should subside. Note: If there was previous apparent buckling then when water is added to the carpet the buckling will become worse, until the carpet dries. When the carpet fully dries the original amount of buckling or lack thereof will return.

Before Cleaning
It is important for a Portland carpet cleaner to disclose the possibility of buckling before starting to clean the carpet.

Hope this information is helpful...until next time...Sean

Worn Out Looking Carpets?

2009-04-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Have you been told that your carpets are worn out and the dirty traffic lanes are permanent?

A Portland carpet cleaner with expert knowledge in modern carpet cleaning technology has a 98% chance of restoring worn out looking carpets to like new condition.

Carpets can look worn out because of flat matted fibers and the soiled traffic lanes. The problem is that traditional carpet cleaning methods will not restore your carpets to like new condition.

When looking to hire a Portland carpet cleaner you should look for one like Sean's Carpet Care that uses the Rotovac rotary extraction.

Until next time....Sean

What to Do With A Spill?

2009-04-12T00:59:00.000-07:00

Everyone has had the accidental spill on the carpet.

The question is what to do with the spill? There are many different type of stains that occur on carpet. Before putting a spotter on a spill you need to make sure the spotter is designed to remove the spill you have and that it is safe for the type of carpet you have.

Using the incorrect spotter can have disastrous affects on the carpet. Anytime you put a spotter on the carpet and the carpet turns lighter in color than before then color loss has occurred and no type of cleaning will fix this.

We offer Portland area homeowners carpet cleaning spotting tips on our website.

If you have questions and you live in the Portland area please give us a call to help you before damaging your carpet.

Byeeee....for now...Sean

What Carpet Cleaning Company Should You Hire?

2009-04-06T01:03:00.000-07:00

Everyday promotional material for Portland carpet cleaning is sent out. How do you know which carpet cleaning company to hire when the ads look pretty much the same. Each ad has promises, nice photos, talks about equipment, etc. To hire a great carpet cleaning company you need real information to make a proper choice.

Consumer Insider's Guide to Carpet Cleaning

To help make an educated decision when hiring a carpet cleaner I have provided a guide on how to hire a Portland-Area carpet cleaner. This also provides some useful information if you are looking for a company to take care of your upholstery cleaning needs as well.

Hope this info helps...Until next time....Take care,

Sean

What About Black Spots?

2009-03-27T17:35:00.000-07:00

Do you have black spots on your carpet?

Many times these spots come from previous household spotters, fireplace soot, charcoal, dirt, and more.

A Professional Portland carpet cleaner should be able to remove these spots without much trouble.

The major spots that can be difficult to remove are spots and stains that are red, blue, or yellow. Spots that have these colors should be left to a Professional Portland carpet cleaning company.

If you have any questions please feel free to give Sean's Carpet Care a call or e-mail.

Until next time...Take care...Sean

Portland Carpet Cleaning Location & Feedback

2009-03-21T22:27:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to our google reviews.

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How to Choose A Carpet Cleaner

2009-03-19T19:08:00.000-07:00

In my experience most people seem to think all carpet cleaners offer the same service and techniques to clean their carpet and upholstery.

There is a vast difference between the services carpet cleaners offer, their level of service, education, experience, and others.

Most of the public has been trained to judge carpet cleaners by the price they charge, so when choosing a carpet cleaner they are usually only concerned with asking, "How much do you charge?" As most people know, price is what you pay and value is what you receive.

At Sean's Carpet Care we have provided Portland-Area homeowners with a guide on How to Choose a Carpet Cleaner. This guide will help homeowners make a more informed decision when hiring a carpet cleaner.

Hope this information is helpful!

Sean

www.seanscarpetcare.com

The Hot Topic - Hardwood or Carpet?

2009-03-11T20:58:00.000-07:00

The decision whether to install hardwood floors or carpet has become popular in today's homes. Some couples decide to have hardwood installed throughout their entire home and others have a mixture of carpet and hardwood through the home.

Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors have some appealing benefits to the homeowner. Some of the benefits to these types of floors are that most types can be installed by the "do it yourselfer", add value to the home, are easy to tell when dirty, and on and on.

Hardwood floors also have some downsides. Some of the downsides to hardwood floors are that they scratch and damage easily, turn black when exposed to water, cold to the touch, can be slippery, and more.

Carpet

Carpet also provides some great benefits to the home. Some of the benefits are that it is the home's air filter, moisture is not an issue, not slippery, comfortable to the touch, and on and on.

Like every textile, carpet has its downsides. Some of the downsides to carpet is that it needs regular vacuuming, soils easily, requires professional carpet cleaning, and on and on.

You Decide

Now you have some information to help you decide on which option would be best for your home.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

We provide:

Professional Portland Carpet cleaning

Professional Portland Upholstery cleaning

Professional Tile & Grout Cleaning

The Ring Around Your Carpet

2009-03-08T00:48:00.000-08:00

I have great clients and some with fabulous carpets!

Recently, I have been cleaning some fabulous carpet, such as wool and see dark lines all around the edges of the carpet and under the doors.

What is this you ask? This is called filtration soil. It occurs when the heating filters of the home have not been changed on a regular basis. A dark oily soot is left around the edges of the carpet and under the doors.

Filtration is actually hard to remove and sometimes takes color with it when treated. We are a Portland carpet cleaning company with specialized skills at removing tough filtration stains.

One easy step to improving your indoor air quality and saving your fabulous carpet is to simply change the heating filters.

Until next time....Sean

Reoccurring Carpet Spots

2009-02-22T00:10:00.000-08:00

The last time you had your carpet professionally cleaned did the spots immediately return?

Let's talk about what caused this situation? Well, there are several reasons why carpet spots immediately return after cleaning.

One reason the spots return is due to wicking. Many times the previous carpet cleaner rapidly cleaned the carpet and did not thoroughly remove the residue that created the spot.

Sometimes, if the carpet is left really wet dirt wicks to the surface creating more spots than before the cleaning.

We use a rotary spinning machine, called a Rotovac 360, that makes 250 passes per minute and thoroughly flushes the carpet to reduce the chance of spots returning.

We work hard to provide Portland area home owners with excellent service. With any system there is a chance that some spots may return. If there is a problem we Guarantee to return and take care of the spot.

Hope this info helps you make a better choice when selecting your next carpet cleaner.

Good Kitty or Bad Kitty?

2009-01-26T18:31:00.000-08:00

Cats are wonderful companions with each having individual personalities. They are very intelligent and usually train easily. Even cats with proper training can sometimes still have bad habits that can ruin or damage carpet.

Bad Kitty

Cat urine is unlike other types of pet urine. When your cat has an accident or gets even with you by urinating on the carpet you are left with an area that has a strong odor and possible color damage.

Problem Prevention
Removing the liquid from the carpet, as soon as possible, is the key to preventing major problems with cat urine. A towel should be used to absorb the liquid and prevent it from soaking through the backing of the carpet to the pad.

If the urine is left to dry it’s high alkalinity can neutralize the color dyes in carpet and cause permanent bleaching. Color loss, or bleaching, is most likely to occur with acid dyed carpet fibers, such as nylon. Unfortunately, the potential bleaching effect will not become apparent until the carpet is cleaned and the neutralized dyes are released leaving a light spot. Color loss is most noticeable in dark colored carpet.

I Didn't Know

There are some good products available to homeowners for pet urine treatment, whether or not the spot was noticed immediately. One spotter we are aware of is Unbelievable! Plus II Odor & Spot Remover. On fresh stains this spotter neutralizes the high alkalinity build-up of the urine, which helps to prevent bleaching problems. On older dry stains, this spotter will help to dissolve the crystallized urine in the carpeting and prevent re-spotting.

Also remember to look for and clean urine on surrounding furniture and walls!

Maybe I Need A Professional?

If you still have odor problems after trying an over the counter spotter then maybe you should consider calling a professional.

We are a Professional Portland Carpet Cleaning Company. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at www.seanscarpetcare.com

We also have other valuable information on professional pet urine removal and proper carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and tile/grout cleaning. Our site is design to help you make a educated choice when choosing a cleaner. Byeee...for now! Sean

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-20T00:12:00.000-08:00

Wishing You and Yours The Best!

Just want to wish every one a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Yours Truly,

Sean

Sean's Carpet Care, Portland Carpet Cleaning at its best

Repeat Rapid Soiling, Why??

2008-12-14T20:07:00.000-08:00

Carpet Spots and Rapid Re-soiling
Have you ever noticed that after having your carpet cleaned the spots reappear or the carpet rapidly re-soils?

Reasons Why?
There are many factors to consider why spots and carpet re-soils rapidly. Often, there are two main reasons why spots re-appear or carpet re-soils rapidly.

One reason: The previous carpet cleaner focussed on the price and not the service he/she offers and cleaned the entire house within an hour. When the carpet is cleaned rapidly most of the areas only receive a surface cleaning and the chance for the spots to re-appear is great.

Another reason: Look at the areas where the heavy re-soiling is coming from. Is the heavy re-soiling occuring near entry ways where tile, vinyl, or hardwood floors exist? The amount and type of cleaner used on these hard surface areas can be tracked to the carpet, especially on wet carpet after cleaning, and leave residue on the carpet causing rapid re-soiling. Interesting huh :-D

We are a Portland Carpet Cleaning company that provides extraordinary service...Keep a lookout on this blog for more interesting information

House Selling Tip - Clean Your Carpet

2008-11-29T19:20:00.000-08:00

Carpet Cleanliness Indicates Home's Condition

Do you know one of the first things potential buyers notice in a home they are considering to purchase?

The answer is the carpet!

Yep, If the carpet is dirty it causes potential buyers to question the upkeep on the rest of the home.

A Good Carpet Cleaner Can Be Worth A Million Dollars

A good carpet cleaner can dramatically help to improve the appearance of your carpet and the chances of selling your home.

Receive Value From Your Carpet Cleaner

A good carpet cleaner should perform certain steps in order to provide the highest level of cleaning.

The MINIMUM Steps you should receive:

Pre-Inspection - Determine what can be cleaned and point out any trouble areas before cleaning. Your cleaner should be able to tell you want stains or trouble areas can be fixed before cleaning.
Pre-Vacuum - All areas to be cleaned. Your cleaner should use proper vacuuming techinques that will remove the soil from deep down in your carpet.
Clean -Clean your carpet utilizing a fiber rinse to leave your carpets pH balanced. This helps reduce rapid re-soiling.
Post Groom -Rake the carpet to re-align the pile and make it look fabulous.

Note: These are the basic steps to cleaning. We are a Portland Carpet Cleaning company that provides an 11-Step Cleaning Process.

Hope this helps in selling your home....Sean :-)

How To Keep Carpet Clean

2008-11-15T19:50:00.000-08:00

How Do I Maintain My Clean Carpet?

You just bought new carpet or had it professionally cleaned and want to know how to protect your investment.

3 Reasons Carpet Gets Dirty.

Filtration, abrasion, residue

What is Dirt?

Dirt, techincally known as soil, "...is any unwanted matter on the surface of any object that is desired to be cleaned" (Fabric Cleaning Specialist).

Even with regular vacuuming most people do not realize the damage dirt does to carpet.

Indoor Air Quality

2008-11-09T17:22:00.000-08:00

Indoor Air Quality

The Environmental Protection Agency has identified indoor air quality as one of the top five most urgent environmental risks to public health.

The bad news…..we spend 90% of our time in our sealed up tight homes, and indoor pollutants are 1000 times more likely to reach your lungs than pollutants outdoors; and how many homes today have 25 to 100 times more pollutants in them than polluted outdoor air. But now it’s time for the good news…..you can do something to protect you and your family! And it won’t cost a lot of money or time. The key is to be informed.

Combat Indoor Air Quality

According the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) there are 3 things you can be doing to combat the problem of unhealthy indoor air. Here they are…

#1: Source Control. This simply means get to the source of the pollution and either contain it or eliminate it. This could be as simple as adjusting a gas stove to reduce emissions. Adjustments like these are usually the most effective and cost efficient ways to improve your indoor air quality.

#2: Ventilation. A second way to improve your indoor air quality is to bring some of the outdoor air in. Today most homes have forced air heating systems and do not bring fresh air into the home. However, simply opening windows or doors, or operating window fans or a/c units with fresh air vents can bring in some fresh air. But, keep in mind all this ventilation will make your home less energy efficient. Also, the EPA emphasizes it is especially important to take as many of these steps as possible while you are involved in short-term activities that can generate high levels of pollutants – i.e. painting, paint stripping, heating with kerosene heaters, or engaging in maintenance and hobby activities such as welding, or sanding.

#3: Air Cleaners. When choosing an air cleaner do your research! There are a lot of different ones on the market and some of them don’t do much to improve air quality. Things to look for are: how well it collects pollutants from indoor air (look for a percentage efficiency rate) and how much air it draws through the cleaning or filtering element (look for cubic feet per minute). Also, look for what it removes. Most air cleaners will claim to remove the usual allergens, but the higher end ones will also remove viruses, and VOC’s. (Toxic off gasses.)

The EPA also had this to say, “Keep the house clean. House dust mites, pollens, animal dander, and other allergy-causing agents can be reduced, although not eliminated, through regular cleaning.” And also, “…carpet owners should follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper carpet maintenance.”

Remember, your carpet is like a big filter. It traps pollutants and when it gets full it redistributes them back into the air with every step you take. If it’s been more than 6-12 months since you had your carpets cleaned your “filter” (carpet) is probably full. If you want to take steps toward healthier indoor air then call Sean's Carpet Care, a Portland Professional Carpet Cleaner. 503-922-4875 / 360-901-8686 right now.

Upholstery Cleaning

2008-11-07T20:04:00.000-08:00

Upholstery - The other filter of the home

When is the last time you thought about the cleanliness of the upholstery in your home? The carpet in your home is thought of as the home's only air filter. Many people do not realize that their upholstery collects many soils, oil, human danger, etc. that flows in the air throughout the house.

How Often To Clean Upholstery

Upholstery in your home should be cleaned every 12-24 months. Currently, most upholstery has a life of about 7 years. With proper cleaning every 12-24 months you can greatly extend the life of your upholstery.

Test Your Upholstery

A simple way to test the soil load in your upholstery is to put a pure white cloth over the end of a round vacuum hose and hold it to the upholstery surface for a minute. Now, lift the hose off the upholstery, without letting it get sucked in the vacuum, and look at the cloth to see how much dirt is on the cloth. If you have a large ring of dirt then it is time to get your upholstery cleaned.

We Can Help

If your live in Portland or Vancouver, WA and your upholstery needs to be cleaned we can help. We offer a special to help with your cleaning needs and have the latest training and technology to properly clean your upholstery.

Dupont Stain Protector

2008-08-09T16:35:00.000-07:00

Today, I would like to talk about a great product that protects your carpet from stains.

Dupont Teflon® Advanced is a product that forms an invisible shield around each fiber to resist soil and stains.

Teflon Advanced is reasonably priced and will protect your investment of Carpet and Upholstery.

Ask your Portland Carpet Cleaning company to provide a demonstration of this great product. For other cleaning tips from a Carpet Cleaner in Portland.

Portland Carpet Cleaning Blog

2008-08-06T12:57:00.000-07:00

Carpet Cleaning Questions & Misconceptions

It seems that when it comes to the subject of carpet cleaning there is a lot of confusion and misconceptions. We decided to offer this information so when you select a carpet cleaning company, you can make an informed decision.

Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Carpet Cleaner

Carpet cleaners in Portland vary widely on the quality of work and services they provide. The decision to choose a carpet cleaner in Portland should not be based solely on price. Below are questions you should ask a potential cleaning company to ensure you receive value for your money.

Q. What method of carpet cleaning do you recommend?

A. The recommended method for carpet and upholstery cleaning is Hot Water Extraction (HWE).

Q. Are your cleaners certified by the IICRC and will you show me your certificate?

A. The IICRC stands for Institute of Inspection Cleaning Restoration and Certification. This is the leading world wide accepted certifying agency for cleaners in the proper methods of carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and really anything to do with installing, cleaning, or restoring various types of flooring. Serious cleaners have taken courses in the proper methods of cleaning and restoration of the items they clean.

Q. Will you provide me with some customer referrals?

A. We have our references listed on our website.

Q. Do you offer a guarantee of your services?

A. We offer to provide our customers with the most thorough cleaning possible, or it's free. Our goal is to make our customers happy.

Q. Is your company part of the committed to provide Ethical Services

A. We signed up and agree to uphold ethical business standards. Ethical Services

Q. Does your company provide upfront prices in writing?

A. Before we do any work in your home we provide upfront prices in writing. If we give a phone quote, our price is real and rarely changes. We say our prices are real because we do not offer a ridiculously low price with the intention to get you to book, knowing that we are going to triple or quadruple the price when we show up.

Common Misconceptions

Misconception #1: You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet.

No. Dirt is an abrasive like sandpaper. Every time you step on the carpet, you grind dirt into your carpet fibers. This cuts your carpet, just as if you had used a knife, causing it to wear out faster. Vacuuming helps, but by itself, it's simply not enough. The longer you wait to have your carpet cleaned, the more damage you do to it.

Misconception #2: The only reason to clean carpets is to get out the dirt.

No. Outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust -- and hundreds of other chemicals. When you and your family members come into your home, those pollutants are carried in and usually end up in your carpet.

If you have allergies, asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problems; one major source of your problem could be the pollens, fungus, and chemicals in your carpet.

Misconception #3: One method of carpet cleaning is as good as another.

No. You can choose from many methods, most of which are bad. The best method to use is Hot Water Extraction.

Hot water extraction is done with a portable or truck mounted system that uses hot water to break up the dirt, bacteria and pollens. Then the machine uses high suction to draw the dirt out of the carpet. Carpet will dry in approximately 6-8 hours and is the method we use exclusively.

Misconception #4: Having the right equipment is all a company needs to clean your carpets properly.

Not true. Many companies own hot-water cleaners - - but a large number of employees don't know how to use them correctly. This is why it is important that you choose your carpet cleaner carefully. We only use highly trained technicians and continually adopt any new technique and/or cleaner that works better than our current method.

Misconception #5: The Company that offers the lowest price is the company you should hire.

Maybe, but not always. Here are two important points to consider.

Point #1: The price you see offered may not be for the service you want performed. If you want the carpet cleaner to remove only some of the dirt, you can choose from hundreds of companies that use small shampooers or other cleaning methods. On the other hand, if you want your carpet thoroughly cleaned, you need to use a company that offers hot water extraction like we do.

Point #2: The price you see advertised may not be the price you pay.

Some carpet cleaners advertise room cleaning between $3.95 and $9.95 per room, then pressure you into paying a lot more once they get inside your home. Sadly, some carpet cleaners may even break the law by using illegal bait and switch tactics.

Hopefully, this information helps you when choosing your next carpet cleaner. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Thank you for stopping by,

Sean