Oct
09
Carpets appeared clean but!
AYC Cleaning a lightly soiled 2 bedroom condo in a brand new van.
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May
25
There are many misconceptions about carpet cleaning. One of them has to do with carpet cleaning methods. What’s the best method? That depends. You have probably heard the terms “dry” or “steam”. These are general terms that hint at different methods, but both terms are incomplete and inaccurate terms. Neither are technical terms that properly describe carpet cleaning methods.
There are 4 methods of carpet cleaning approved by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the world’s most recognized body of certification for carpet and upholstery cleaners.
Method 1: Hot Water Extraction
Otherwise known as “steam cleaning”, hot water extraction is the process that most are probably familiar with. Hot water extraction is the correct technical term, not steam cleaning. Actual steam is not used at all. A hot water solution is produced and immediately recovered, creating a “flushing” action on the carpet. There are many variations of hot water extraction. From the most powerful truck-mounted machine down to the small portable machine rented from the grocery store. What’s the difference. Every machine has different capabilities. Mainly the pressure in which the water is produced and the recovery capability.
However, the biggest and most important difference is in the person cleaning the carpet. A trained technician will know what pressure to use, what cleaning products to use, and how to get maximum soil removal and maximum spot removal without over-wetting the carpet or leaving a sticky residue behind. The horror stories of carpet being wet for days is due to operator error, not because “steam” or “hot water extraction” caused it.
Hot Water Extraction done properly will remove more soil than any other method. Further, anything that has seeped into the backing such as urine, coffee, beverages or something can be “flushed out” with hot water extraction. It can also be used in lightly soiled and maintenance situations as it is very versatile.
Method #2: Absorbent Pad
Also known as bonnet cleaning, this method employs a round pad that spins across the surface of the carpet, absorbing the soil. A solution is applied to the carpet or the pad to aid in releasing soils. This is a method that some may classify as “dry cleaning” although water based products are used in almost all “dry cleaning” systems, therefore the term dry cleaning (cleaning with only a solvent based cleaner) is not technical and would not be desired. Absorbent pad cleaning is not a deep cleaning method. It should only be used in lightly soiled and maintenance situations.
Method #3: Dry Compound
This method uses a powder that has been treated with detergents, water, and solvents. The powder compound is sprinkled onto the carpet and a brush with cylindrical brushes is used to work the powder into the carpet pile. The solution that is in the powder releases the soil. The soil is then absorbed into the absorbent powder. This method should only be used in lightly soiled and maintenance situations.
Method # 4: Shampoo or Dry Foam
In this method, a shampoo or foam is generated and worked into the carpet with a rotary brush or cylindrical brush machine. The shampoo or foam releases the soil. The soil is then vacuumed with the machine or allowed to dry and removed with a conventional vacuum cleaner. This method should be used in only lightly soiled situations and maintenance cleaning. When using shampoo, great care should be taken to avoid leaving a sticky residue on the carpet.
Note: AYC Cleaning Systems, Inc. is experienced in ALL methods of carpet cleaning. We offer a 12 step cleaning program that gets maximum soil removal, maximum spot removal without over-wetting the carpet or leaving a sticky residue behind.
Guaranteed or your money back!
Click here to schedule an appointment or for more information or call our office at 888-530-0004
May
19
1. Check the 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.
2. Vacuum, Vacuum, Vacuum! It is said that the three most important rules for maintaining carpet are vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. 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. Remove any loose particles such as loose food, leaves, pieces of crayon, bugs, etc. as these items can cause a spot on the carpet.
3. Have Your Carpet Professionally Cleaned. Professional cleaning by a professional, certified firm should be done at least every 12 months according to DuPont and major carpet manufacturers. Heavy traffic areas may need it more often. Manufacturers warranties require professional cleaning at least every 18 to 24 months to retain texture retention warranties.
Rule of thumb: Clean your carpet before it looks visibly soiled.
4. Remove Spots Immediately. Spots that are not immediately removed can turn into permanent stains very easily. Always use a spot cleaner that is recommended by the carpet manufacturer or your trained, certified professional cleaner! Many “over the counter” spotters leave too much soap residue that leaves a sticky residue behind that will make your spots return!
5. Have Carpet Protector Re-Applied. The soil resistor that is built into stain resistant nylon carpet is removed with regular foot traffic and harsh cleaners. To keep your carpet cleaner longer, have your protector reapplied each time you have your carpet professionally cleaned.
Click here to schedule an appointment or for more information or call our office at 888-530-0004
May
10
This Mother’s Day give your mom a healthy clean home!
Have a great mother’
s Day from all of us at AYC Cleaning Systems
Alain , Yolanda, Daniel & Eric
May
06
AYC Cleaning a lightly soiled 2 Bedroom Condo
Click here to schedule an appointment or for more information or call our office at 888-530-0004
Apr
01
Here at AYC Cleaning Systems, Inc. We have a product that can help fight back on this allergy season. A patented new plant-based technology neutralizes the protein in allergens such as dust mite waste and animal dander and renders them harmless without any harm to you, your pets or your environment. Dustroy, a new anti-allergen spray from AllerSafe, is free of fragrances and dyes, so it won’t stain your furniture or carpet.
Feb
04
Reveals Poor Service and Inadequate Cleaning Systems
We hired a consulting firm to “mystery shop” our three biggest competitors to confirm the real differences between our service and others. The findings not only confirmed the hard earned leadership position that we have, but also raised some real concerns about these supposedly expert companies.
Three companies were chosen because of the brand recognition associated with them. These three companies would also be considered our biggest “competitors”. Even though we feel that we don’t have any competition, and we maintain a leadership and educational position that no other carpet cleaning company in the city enjoys, we wanted to see things from your perspective. We wanted to see how things looked through the eyes of the client. So we paid a consulting firm to book one carpet cleaning job from each of the companies.
The findings shocked even us!
The first company that was called not only had horrible telephone manners, but sent out the rudest, unprofessional, uninformed crew you could imagine. They never said thank you and acted like they were being bothered the whole time they were there (which was a total of 37 minutes!). This crew did not pre-vacuum the carpet, didn’t pre-spot it, or even groom it. Even though the spots were not satisfactorily removed they remained unconcerned and unwilling to try harder.
Their one-step method doesn’t even come close to meeting minimum IICRC Standards. Due to the fact that they just brushed over the carpet with the cleaning tool, the soils returned before the day was even over! At the end of the job, our consultant was required to sign a lengthy document. They would not state a reasonable guarantee (the company had stressed their guarantee to secure the job over the telephone). To top it off, these idiots never said thank you. Not even a smile the entire time proved that a customer is just another bother in their day. How sad.
The second company at first sounded more promising than the first.
Their telephone courtesies were somewhat better, but not anywhere near what they should be. The problem with this company was that they gave us a 2pm-5pm arrival window. At 1 o’clock our consultant called to check on the arrival time. “Toward the latter” he was told. At 4:10pm, he called again “the crew is still at their previous job. They should be about an hour.” At 5:10, still no crew. Another call revealed that they were still at the previous job. When pressed the operator said “Well, their previous job went from 2 rooms to 2 houses” “Oh, so you took on more work on your previous job and bumped me huh?” our consultant replied. “Let me get the operations manager” The ‘operations manager’ said “It’s only 5:10!” insinuating that they weren’t actually late. They couldn’t give a specific arrival time, so our consultant cancelled this job. If a company doesn’t care enough to communicate with the client, turn down extra work, and/or offer alternate arrangements for their clients, they don’t deserve the work, no matter how good they might be. If you’re not there, you can’t very well do a good job now can you?
The third company was better than the first two, but lacked what it takes to be considered a “top” company.
Booking the job was about as average as the other two. Incorrect information, and ignorance ran throughout this experience. This company gave a 2 hour window. They called the day before to confirm which was good. The morning of the appointment, they called to confirm the arrival time. Good. When the technician arrived, he was very nice. That was not enough to get them more than a C Average due to the inexperience of the young man that came.
He didn’t know anything about the carpet although he claimed to have been around carpet for a long time. He thought the carpet was wool by looking at it (it was nylon) This technician pre-vacuumed the carpet, and pre-sprayed the traffic area, and rinsed. Upon completion, he requested a signature beside several cleaning steps that were not provided. When pressed, we got the tired, old “well I didn’t have it on the truck” Duh!
Both companies that came out had carpet cleaning steps on their work order that they were unwilling to do. One was grooming the carpet. In both cases, it was on the ticket (put their by their operational system to make sure they do it). Both blew it off as unimportant.
Obviously any company has their bad days, or days when employees just don’t want to perform. The scary part about these three companies is that they are the most recognized brands in our industry and these inadequacies and poor attitudes were obviously routine.
AYC Cleaning Systems, Inc. is passionate about raising the standard of our industry. We commit to providing you with the most outstanding service experience ever. Guaranteed or your money back!
Click here to schedule an appointment or for more information or call our office at 888-530-0004
Jan
11
Stain Removal
Treatment of the affected area should begin immediately upon discovery. The more time that elapses before treatment, the more difficult a stain will be to remove. For best results, us Mohawk FloorCare Essentials Carpet Spot Remover and Cleaning Kit.
Cleaning Recommendations
Even with regular vacuuming, soil particles and oily dirt will cling to the carpet fibers. With foot traffic these particles and oily dirt are driven deep into the carpet. We recommend professional hot water extraction every 12 to 18 months using cleaning products, equipment or systems that carry the Carpet & Rug Institute Seal of Approval. Periodic cleaning using the hot water extraction method performed by a certified carpet care professional, will refresh carpet appearance.
Click here to schedule an appointment or for more information or call our office at 888-530-0004
