Conscientious Carpet Care - Williamsburg, Virginia

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CONSUMER'S GUIDE TO CARPET CLEANING
By P. Scott Zimmerman

THE IMPORTANCE OF VALUE AND PRICE

Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.

When you select a carpet cleaner, you'll choose from a wide variety of cleaning methods and prices.

In their 20-year KID-PROOF Warranty brochure, Mohawk Carpet Corporation says, "In addition to vacuuming, overall deep cleaning on a periodic basis is necessary to keep the carpet looking its best. The frequency of this deep cleaning is dictated by the soiled condition of the carpet. When the surface first appears dirty, even after vacuuming, or first begins to show signs of matting, further delay could damage the carpet fibers.

"For KID-PROOF carpets, we recommend deep cleaning only by trained professionals using the hot water extraction method when soiling in traffic areas begins to appear.

"To validate certain KID-PROOF warranties,
the above recommendation for deep cleaning is a
REQUIREMENT."

Shaw Industries, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, recommends hot water extraction from a truck-mounted unit, and using a portable unit only in areas where the truck-mounted unit won't reach.

HERE'S WHY:

A truck-mounted unit cleans much better
than a portable unit for three reasons:

(1) It heats the water to a higher temperature. For every 18 degree increase in the temperature above 118 degrees F, you double the water's cleaning ability. So, if the water temperature is 136 degrees F, it will clean twice as well as water that is 118 degrees F. 154 degree water will clean four times as well as 118 degree water. And so on, until you reach a water temperature of 250 degrees F.

(2) It shoots the cleaning solution into your carpet at higher pressures, which breaks up the dirt, bacteria, chemicals, and pollens. 300 to 400 pounds per square inch is the optimum pressure for truck-mount hot water extraction.

(3) The machine uses stronger suction to draw the dirt, chemicals, bacteria, pollens, and tobacco smoke residue out of your carpet. Not surprisingly, having your carpet thoroughly cleaned with truck-mount hot water extraction costs more than renting a shampooer at the corner grocery store. If you bought the cheapest carpeting you could find, then renting a small shampooer might be all you need. No question, it will get out some of the dirt, but the key word here is "some." It will not get out many of the pollens, chemicals, bacteria, and dust mite residues.

On the other hand, if you want your carpet to look good and give you years of dependable service, then you need to take extra good care of it. This means you need to have it cleaned by a skilled, qualified technician at least every six months to one year, depending on the amount of soiling and foot traffic it receives. And you need to have it cleaned thoroughly and disinfected, as only a truck-mount hot water extractor can do.

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