Consumer’s Guide to Hiring a Carpet Cleaner
My name is Joel Belmont. I’m grateful for the opportunity to provide you with information about carpet cleaning and help you choose a carpet cleaning company.
As the owner of Belmont Clean Carpet and Upholstery Care, I have spent over 10 years cleaning textiles in the Roaring Fork Valley. I have attended numerous schools, workshops, and seminars to stay abreast of changes in carpets and fabrics. I am certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification). I also spent over a year in training with my father, Charles Belmont, founder and president of the Certified Cleaners Association. I am the only carpet cleaner with a Five-Star rating on www.EthicalServices.com (a nationwide watchdog featured on ABC’s 20/20) in Aspen, Snowmass Village, Woody Creek, Basalt, Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, CO.
During my years of cleaning, I’ve learned that carpet cleaning is the subject of much confusion. In fact, people have so many misconceptions about carpet cleaning that I decided to offer this consumer education message, so when you select a carpet cleaning company, you can make an informed, intelligent decision.
I’m going to share with you 7 costly misconceptions about carpet cleaning. Plus, I’ll offer 4 recommendations. And, I’ll give you 8 questions you should ask a carpet cleaner before you invite them into your home.
: You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet.
ABSOLUTELY NOT! 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. A soiled carpet will not last nearly as long as a clean carpet. And while vacuuming helps – by itself, it’s simply not enough. The longer you wait to have your carpet cleaned, the more damage you do to your carpet and the faster it wears out.
: The only reason to clean carpets is to remove the soil and improve the appearance.
NOT TRUE! As you probably know, outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust – and hundreds of other harmful chemicals. When you and your family members come into your home, you carry those pollens and chemicals in your hair and on your skin, clothing, and shoes. Not surprisingly, all those chemicals, pollens and bacteria end up – you guessed it – in your carpet.
Carpet cleaning is not just about removing soil and improving the appearance of your home. It’s about protecting your family and safeguarding their health by removing pollutants and contaminants that can affect your quality of life. In some instances, INDOOR AIR QUALITY can be 70-100 times more polluted than outdoor air. Since carpet is the lowest and largest horizontal surface, it acts as a “sink” or filter, which needs to be emptied and cleaned regularly.
Another factor to consider is that carpet fibers are made to hide and camouflage soil and debris. So, by the time you can see evidence of soiling, your carpet is already overdue for a cleaning. Naturally, some colors do a better job of hiding soil than others. For example, earth tone colors (browns) do a beautiful job of hiding soil, so you cannot depend on appearance as a basis for deciding when it is time to clean your carpets.
: ONE METHOD OF CARPET CLEANING IS AS GOOD AS ANOTHER!
No. In fact different carpet cleaning companies use VERY different systems, and many of them can cause soil to reappear soon after they have been cleaned, and can permanently damage your carpet and upholstery!
Here are the most common methods:
The first one uses a water-based , which is applied to the carpet, allowed to dry, and then simply vacuumed. Can you imagine applying shampoo to your hair, allowing it to dry and then removing the shampoo from your head with a vacuum? This method can leave a tremendous amount of soapy residue in your carpet, and it doesn’t provide adequate agitation to clean and lift the carpet fibers, making it an un-effective way to clean.
The second method uses to try to float dirt to the surface. Carpets need to be deep cleaned with an effective cleaner and a thorough system, and effervescent bubbles simply do not provide a thorough cleaning.
Third, the method spreads an absorbent mixture that looks like wet sawdust all over your carpeting. Then a machine brushes the mixture into the carpet, which in theory causes dirt to absorb into the mixture. When the mixture has dried, a vacuum cleaner sucks the material out of the carpeting. In a cut pile or berber carpet, it is impossible to vacuum it all out, leaving both the cleaning compound and soil in the carpets.
The fourth method is called . This is a quick, one-step process where boiling temperature water, loaded with soap, is injected into the carpet at 400 pounds of pressure per square inch. This carries soapy water through the carpet, and often through the carpet pad and into the sub-floor. It can take literally days for the soaked carpet to dry out, which can cause mold problems. Also, the extremely hot temperature of the water can soften the glue in the carpet backing, causing the fibers to permanently distort, and the combination of moisture and temperature can shrink the carpet away from the walls, or stretch it, leaving ripples and causing permanent damage. Pre-vacuuming is usually left out, it doesn’t afford adequate agitation, and the soap residue left in the fibers attracts the spots and traffic lanes right back to where they were before! Within a few weeks, it can look like your carpet was never cleaned, and over time it can ruin your carpet.
In summary, the reason why none of these methods are effective, is because they are lacking 4 important elements of a proper cleaning: (1) they leave a residue to attract soil, (2) they don’t pre-vacuum, (3) they use too little or too much moisture, and (4) they don’t agitate the carpet fibers enough to clean and restore them to a healthy pile.
The last method is a .
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First, the carpet is pre-vacuumed with a 3hp commercial extractor and pile lifter. Scientific studies show that 70-75% of all the soil, allergens and foreign objects in carpeting can be removed with a professional vacuum, making this a critical step for a thorough cleaning.
Next, an environmentally friendly cleaner that contains no soaps, bleaches or caustics—thus leaving no harmful residue to attract more soil—is gently applied to the carpet fibers, allowing it to penetrate to the base of the carpet pile. The cleaner is 100% safe for you, for your carpets and for the environment, and because it doesn’t leave any residue, the cleaning will last 3 to 4 times as long!
Third, a rotary floor machine with a nylon brush (or a softer brush for wool and other delicate carpet fibers) is used to clean all four sides of the carpet fibers. This breaks up stubborn spots, liquefies any remaining soil or bacteria, and lifts the carpet knap back up to its original condition.
Once the soil has been liquefied, special cotton bonnets are used on the floor machine to absorb and thoroughly remove the liquefied soil, leaving the carpets fibers clean, healthy and beautiful.
The last step is to groom the carpet by hand with a pile lifting brush, leaving all the fibers lifted up in one direction. This helps the carpet to dry in just a few hours and leaves the carpet like new again.
Without question, the most effective way to clean carpeting is with a five-step, low-moisture, no residue system. It’s the most effective cleaning method on the market and the only method that thoroughly removes dirt, harmful bacteria, fungus, chemicals, pollens and other residues, while restoring the carpet fibers to their original condition. This is the method my company uses.
: ALL METHODS OF CARPET CLEANING ARE GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
Unfortunately, no. There are three important factors that make a system environmentally friendly: one, the equipment must be powered by clean energy; two, the cleaning solution must be certified as non-toxic and safe for the environment; and three, a carpet cleaner must dispose of the waste water correctly.
(1) Many carpet cleaners use machines that are petroleum powered, using diesel fuel or unleaded gasoline to run their equipment. That means that not only is your neighborhood being polluted by the exhaust from their van and equipment, which runs for the duration of the cleaning whether it’s 1 hour or all day long, but this also adds unnecessary greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere, increasing the effects of global warming.
Other carpet cleaners use equipment that is just as powerful, but is powered by electricity, which is a cleaner and more efficient form of energy. So make sure that the company you hire uses clean energy—electricity—to power their equipment.
(2) Many carpet cleaners use chemicals that non-biodegradable, and are harmful to people as well as the local watershed. A cleaning solution that is Green Seal Certified is a good standard to use when making sure a chemical is environmentally friendly.
(3) It’s unfortunate, but some companies do not dispose of their wastewater correctly. I have seen carpet cleaners on several occasions pump their wastewater right out into the street, which locally runs through the storm drains and right into the river, with no treatment. This can cause big problems for our local rivers, and there have been many occasions were carpet cleaning companies have been sued for improper wastewater disposal, resulting in fish kills and damage to the local environment. An ethical carpet cleaner
Guide to Cleaning a Carpet
The most important lesson in carpet care is to follow a strict and consistent regimen of cleaning and maintenance. Regular vacuuming combined with occasional shampooing can keep a carpet looking pristine for years.
Before beginning the shampooing process, there are several things to remember. First, remove all furniture from the area to be serviced. This will save time later and will eliminate the chance of dirt rings or rust stains being left by the feet of chairs or sofas once the carpet is damp. Next, vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Surface dirt and debris, if not removed, can be pushed down into or spread throughout the carpet as it is shampooed.
Choosing a carpet-cleaning machine can be a daunting task considering the numerous types available as well as the fact that the price of a good industrial strength extractor (providing the best results) can easily exceed a thousand dollars. If only cleaning home carpets, it is probably a good idea to rent. A small industrial extractor can be rented for – a day. Often local grocery or rental stores carry these types of machines and can provide attachments, shampoo, pre-spotter, and de-foamer, as well as answer questions.
There is one more thing to do before beginning work. Make sure to use a pre-spotter on any stained or heavily soiled areas. Spray the affected area(s) thoroughly and let sit for ten to fifteen minutes (on heavier stains agitation with a brush or sponge may be necessary). This will give the pre-spotter time to work before beginning the shampooing process.
Once you start your project, there are two important things to remember in order to get the best results. Don’t use too much shampoo, as it can leave sticky, invisible residue in the carpet, causing it to collect and retain future dirt more quickly. Also, use a consistent speed when working the extractor across the carpet, allowing the machine to do its job but not over-saturating the carpet. Too much water can create carpet bubbles or cause the carpet to loosen, ripple, or mildew.
If by chance the carpet does become too wet, use a fan (industrial strength blowers can also be rented) or open windows to dry the carpet faster. Finally, check your work once the carpet is dry. There may be spots that need to be cleaned again depending on the soil level and traffic patterns of the area.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only. Any action taken by the reader due to the information provided in this article is at the reader’s discretion.
Written by KrisCalhoun
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Best 50 – Beginning Pitcher (SP) Rankings – 2010 Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide
Get ready for the 2010 Fantasy Baseball season by dominating your draft with some of the finest fantasy baseball rankings, stat projections, and player info, all appropriate here for totally free. Beginning Pitcher (SP) Rankings are based on a 1-year standard scoring method in mixed AL/NL fantasy baseball leagues for the 2010 season.
Scoring program stats incorporate: wins, losses, strikeouts, era, and whip – (W, L, K, ERA, WHIP). IP = innings pitched for the duration of the 2009 season.
Each and every players age for the 2010 season is supplied after their name.
Best 12 – Beginning Pitcher (SP) Rankings 2010
#1 – Tim Lincecum – San Francisco Giants (26)
Already winning back to back CY Young Awards for the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Lincecum at just age 26 could emerge as 1 of the best starting pitchers of all time if he continues on his path of achievement. Posting strikeouts are a breeze for Lincecum, as he has tallied 265 and 261 strikeouts throughout the 2008 and 2009 season respectively. If the Giants offense can supply a decent quantity of runs in the course of the 2010 season, Lincecum could easily turn out to be a 20 win starting pitcher.
2009 Stats: 225 IP, 15 W, 7 L, 261 K, 2.48 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
2010 Stat Projections: 230 IP, 18 W, 6 L, 260 K, two.60 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
#two – Felix Hernandez – Seattle Mariners (24)
At just age 23 and already entering his fifth year in the majors to begin the 2009 season, Hernandez broke out with a career year in 2009 as he tallied a career high 19 wins. Aside from the improve in wins, Hernandez was also able to record a career high in strikeouts at 217 during the 2009 season, as well as career bests with a 2.49 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. Hernandez could effortlessly contend for the CY Young Award over the next 10 years.
2009 Stats: 238 IP, 19 W, five L, 217 K, two.49 ERA, 1.14 WHIP
2010 Stat Projections: 225 IP, 18 W, 6 L, 220 K, 2.80 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
#three – Zack Greinke – Kansas City Royals (26)
Right after years of becoming labeled a star prospect, Greinke finally broke out with a career year in 2009 that culminated in him winning the CY Young Award. Entering the 2010 season expectations will be very high for Greinke, nonetheless there is no doubt that he has adequate talent to continue to be a perennial CY Young candidate more than the next a number of years.
2009 Stats: 229 IP, 16 W, 8 L, 242 K, two.16 ERA, 1.07 WHIP
2010 Stat Projections: 230 IP, 16 W, 6 L, 250 K, two.80 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
#4 – CC Sabathia – New York Yankees (29)
Following producing 19 wins and leading the Yankees to a Globe Series title, Sabathia does not appear to be one bit rattled by the New York crowd that has accomplished in quite a few massive named players more than the years for the Yankees. Entering the prime of his career at age 29, Sabathia should simply contend for 20 wins and 200 strikeouts during the 2010 season.
2009 Stats: 230 IP, 19 W, 8 L, 197 K, 3.37 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
2010 Stat Projections: 230 IP, 20 W, 8 L, 200 K, three.25 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
#five – Roy Halladay – Philadelphia Phillies (33)
Transitioning to Philadelphia really should seemingly be an easy 1 for Halladay in the course of the 2010 season, as he will be backed by an outstanding run scoring offense. At age 33, Halladay is most likely at the pinnacle of his career, and now on a new team for the 1st time in his MLB career, Halladay could quite simply rise to the occasion and generate a career year in 2010. A 20 win season in surely probable and actually extremely likely this year for Halladay now that he is in a Phillies uniform.
2009 Stats: 239 IP, 17 W, 10 L, 208 K, 2.79 ERA, 1.13 WHIP
2010 Stat Projections: 235 IP, 20 W, 8 L, 210 K, 2.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP
#6 – Johan Santana – New York Mets (31)
Even with injuries derailing Santana’s 2009 season, he nonetheless managed to tally 13 wins and a 3.13 ERA. With that type of production at just half speed for Santana, it only seems reasonable to expect a comeback year in 2010 from this former CY Young winner. Add Jason Bay to the offense and a wholesome Jose Reyes and Davis Wright, and Santana really should effortlessly contend for 15 plus wins and 220 plus strikeouts in 2010.
2009 Stats: 166 IP, 13 W, 9 L, 146 K, 3.13 ERA, 1.21 WHIP
2010 Stat Projections: 225 IP, 18 W, 7 L, 225 K, two.90 ERA, 1.10 WHIP
#7 – Adam Wainwright – St. Louis Cardinals (28)
If Chris Carpenter would not have had a enormous comeback year in 2009, Wainwright would be entering the 2010 season as the no doubt #1 ace SP for the Cardinals. But after tallying 19 wins and 212 strikeouts with an outstanding two.63 ERA over the 2009 season, Wainwright at just age 28 has established himself as 1 of the premiere SP in all of baseball. A 20 win season is really achievable for Wainwright throughout the 2010 season.
2009 Stats: 233 IP, 19 W, 8 L, 212 K, two.63 ERA, 1.21 WHIP
2010 Stat Projections: 230 IP, 18 W, 7 L, 215 K, two.80 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
#8 – Justin Verlander – Detroit Tigers (28)
After a down year in 2008 that had Verlander entering the 2009 season as just an ‘ok’ fantasy baseball SP, he busted out with a career year in 2009 that included 19 wins and 269 strikeouts. At age 28, Verlander offers tremendous strikeout potential and should when again tally 15 plus wins during the 2010 season. As a strong CY Young candidate in 2009, expecting yet another CY Young worthy season from Verlander in 2010 is a fantastic bet.
2009 Stats: 240 IP, 19 W, 9 L, 269 K, 3.45 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
2010 Stat Projections: 230 IP, 17 W, 8 L, 250 K, three.20 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
#9 – Cliff Lee – Seattle Mariners (31)
Locating himself in Seattle to begin the 2010 season, Lee ought to discover some stability this season with the Mariners, whilst getting allowed to concentrate only on his pitching and not on whether he will be traded like he went by means of last season. A return to CY Young form is quite feasible for Lee, who is just starting to enter his prime at age 31 for the 2010 season.
2009 Stats: 231 IP, 14 W, 13 L, 181 K, three.22 ERA, 1.24 WHIP
2010 Stat Projections: 230 IP, 17 W, 9 L, 190 K, 3.10 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
#10 – Chris Carpenter – St. Louis Cardinals (35)
Well being will usually be an issue for Carpenter, but soon after a wholesome 2009 season, Carpenter showed that he can nonetheless be a #1 ace SP in the majors. At age 35, the years may commence to catch up with Carpenter throughout the 2010 season, but with Adam Wainwright worthy of becoming a #1 ace SP as properly, Carpenter will not have to bear the load for the Cardinals pitching staff in 2010. With an constantly solid offense backing him in Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday, Carpenter really should effortlessly contend for 15 plus wins in the course of the 2010 season.
2009 Stats: 192 IP, 17 W, 4 L, 144 K, 2.24 ERA, 1.01 WHIP
2010 Stat Projections: 200 IP, 16 W, 6 L, 150 K, two.80 ERA, 1.05 WHIP
#11 – Jon Lester – Boston Red Sox (26)
Forget about John Lackey or Josh Beckett, Jon Lester is the finest starting pitcher in Boston entering the 2010 season. Offering far better strikeout prospective, whilst also becoming a couple years younger and less injury prone than either Lackey or Beckett, Lester at just age 26 is on the verge of getting an All-Star beginning pitcher with plenty of prospective to garner CY Young votes in the extremely near future.
2009 Stats: 203 IP, 15 W, 8 L, 225 K, 3.41 ERA, 1.23 WHIP
2010 Stat Projections: 220 IP, 18 W, 6 L, 235 K, 3.10 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
#12 – Tommy Hanson – Atlanta Braves (23)
With a midseason call up in 2009, no one actually knew just how properly Hanson would adjust to pitching at the major league level. Luckily for him and the Atlanta Braves, Hanson proved to everyone just how very good of a starting pitcher he can be. Right after tallying 11 wins to just 4 losses although maintaining a 2.89 ERA in his rookie season in 2009, Hanson at just age 23 has sufficient potential to transform into an immediate CY Young contender for the duration of the 2010 season. A lot like Tim Lincecum burst onto the MLB and fantasy baseball scene in just his second year, Hanson possesses that identical sort of capacity.
2009 Stats: 127 IP, 11 W, 4 L, 116 K, two.89 ERA, 1.18 WHIP
2010 Stat Projections: 210 IP, 17 W, 7 L, 230 K, 2.80 ERA, 1.15 WHIP
Beginning Pitcher (SP) Rankings: #13-50
#13 – John Lackey – Boston Red Sox (31)
#14 – Yovani Gallardo – Milwaukee Brewers (24)
#15 – Dan Haren – Arizona Diamondbacks (29)
#16 – Cole Hamels – Philadelphia Phillies (26)
#17 – Josh Beckett – Boston Red Sox (30)
#18 – Jake Peavy – Chicago White Sox (29)
#19 – Javier Vazquez – New York Yankees (33)
#20 – Clayton Kershaw – Los Angeles Dodgers (22)
#21 – Josh Johnson – Florida Marlins (26)
#22 – Chad Billingsley – Los Angeles Dodgers (25)
#23 – Brandon Webb – Arizona Diamondbacks (31)
#24 – Matt Cain – San Francisco Giants (25)
#25 – Jered Weaver – Los Angeles Angels (27)
#26 – Carlos Zambrano – Chicago Cubs (29)
#27 – Jair Jurrjens – Atlanta Braves (24)
#28 – Ubaldo Jimenez – Colorado Rockies (26)
#29 – Gavin Floyd – Chicago White Sox (27)
#30 – Scott Baker – Minnesota Twins (28)
#31 – Matt Garza – Tampa Bay Rays (26)
#32 – AJ Burnett – New York Yankees (33)
#33 – Roy Oswalt – Houston Astros (32)
#34 – Ervin Santana – Los Angeles Angels (27)
#35 – Wandy Rodriguez – Houston Astros (31)
#36 – John Danks – Chicago White Sox (25)
#37 – James Shields – Tampa Bay Rays (28)
#38 – Ricky Nolasco – Florida Marlins (27)
#39 – Edwin Jackson – Arizona Diamondbacks (26)
#40 – Daisuke Matsuzaka – Boston Red Sox (29)
#41 – Wealthy Harden – Texas Rangers (28)
#42 – David Cost – Tampa Bay Rays (24)
#43 – Scott Kazmir – Los Angeles Angels (26)
#44 – Ted Lilly – Chicago Cubs (34)
#45 – Francisco Liriano – Minnesota Twins (26)
#46 – Max





