15. October 2009 by Dean of Clean.

The cold weather is coming again, so here are some tips to keep your home dry this winter!

1 - Disconnect outside hoses (even “freezeless” faucets will freeze and burst if water is left in the hose…and they’ll drain into your wall, not outside!)

2 - Check washer and icemaker hoses for cracks and wear. If they look questionable, replace them ($5-10 at Kroeger’s and much cheaper and easier than a flood!)

3 - Inspect your water heater, paying special attention to the inlet/outlet lines and the drain valve.  If in doubt, consult a professional plumber for advice on replacement or repair.

4 - Turn off your water if you’re going out of town…that way, if something breaks, you don’t come back to a wet house!

And, if you do need water extraction, drying and flood restoration, call 385-8444 for prompt, courteous service by the area’s most experienced Water Damage Restoration team…we have over 50 years combined experience. We’ll get your house cleaned up and dried out as rapidly as possible to return your life to normal FAST!

Click the link for more information about Water Damage Restoration in Durango.

Posted in carpet, carpet cleaner, restoration, floods, water damage, flood, Carpet Cleaning | No Comments »

19. May 2009 by Dean of Clean.

Spring is back.  Do you feel that renewed sense of excitement, and the feeling of wanting to clean up our space we’ve inhabited all winter?  Sounds like Spring Cleaning!  And you’ve probably heard of “green cleaning.”  But what exactly is “green cleaning”?  It’s cleaning in a way that does not cause any harm to you or the environment.

Here are some simple, inexpensive ways you can clean “green” this spring!

You could start by making your own cleaners.  It sounds kind of intimidating but it’s actually quite easy and cost effective.  Just think about your grandmothers and your great grandmothers – they were cleaning green and didn’t even know it!  They didn’t have all these fancy, chemical laden cleaners to choose from.  They had simple, non-toxic recipes to use.   Their homes were clean and non-toxic – “green” before it was the trend.  (And
just think about how long they lived – could there be a connection to
their longevity and their lack of exposure to harmful chemicals in
cleaning supplies and food?)

Recipe for All Purpose Cleaner:

4 Tablespoons Vinegar

2 tsp. Borax

32 oz. hot water

Mix and store in a spray bottle.

Recipe for Window Cleaner:

1 Cup White Vinegar

3 Cups Water

Mix and store in a spray bottle.  Use a cotton rag or newspapers.

Recipe for Cleaning Wood Floors:

¼ Cup White Vinegar

1 Quart Warm Water

Mix in spray bottle.  Use sparingly and be careful not to over wet the wood.  Use a cotton mop. 

A Couple of Notes:  Always test a surface before you clean it with any product.  For a pleasant scent, add a few drops of an essential oil to your homemade cleaning products.  Try lavender, lemon, or tea tree oil.

Also, part of “green” cleaning is reusing your cleaning supplies.  Opt for reusable, washable rags over sponges and paper towels. 

Now clean to your heart’s content – all of the recipes above are non-toxic and are safe for you and the planet.  So clean away! And, if you’d like Professional “Green” Cleaning for your Carpets, Upholstery, Stone, Tile and Grout floors or Oriental Rugs, call 385-8444 and we’ll be happy to give you a complimentary,  no-obligation quote.

Posted in cleaner, carpet cleaner, cleaning, green cleaning, Carpet Cleaning, "Green" Cleaning and Living | No Comments »

25. April 2009 by Dean of Clean.

Come visit us at the Durango Home & Ranch show at the La Plata County Fairgrounds and we’ll give you FREE car mat cleaning while you browse the show! Just drop your mats off to our big white truck in the parking lot, and we’ll clean them for you and have them ready when you leave.

And while you’re there, stop by our booth to learn more about “Green” carpet cleaning, stone, tile & grout cleaning and sandless wood floor cleaning and refinishing. You can enter our contest to win free carpet cleaning, giftcards to Carver’s and Maria’s, and more! See the equipment we use for water damage and flood restoration, ask any questions you may have about stain removal, and we’ll even give you some free spot remover.

To top it all off, we’ll have a huge display of beautiful hand-woven rugs from around the world! You’ll meet Linda Barnes, world traveler, who brought them back to Durango, and Richard Carpenter, one of the few Certified Master Rug Cleaners in the world. Together they can answer any questions you may have about rug care, construction and lore!

See you there!

Learn more about UltraSteam Professional Carpet, Upholstery, Stone, Tile, Grout and Wood floor Cleaning

Posted in Upholstery Cleaning, Sandless Wood Floor Cleaning and Refinishing, Carpet Cleaning, Tile & Grout Cleaning, Stone Cleaning, "Green" Cleaning and Living | No Comments »

9. March 2009 by Dean of Clean.

Spring is coming, and allergies sometimes follow! Here are some tips to help minimize them:

1 - Know what you’re allergic to. Some people (like myself!) are allergic to seasonal pollens, and these allergies can often be helped by a combination of diet, homeopathic remedies and non-prescription medications. Other people are allergic to dust mites, pet dander or other allergens that are more common indoors than out. A visit to your doctor may be in order, or ask him for a referral to an allergy specialist, to find out what you are allergic to and how best to treat it.

2 - Minimize your exposure to your allergens. If you’re allergic to juniper pollen, for instance, refrain from walks in those woods while they’re putting it out in the air. (Or if you’re like me and can’t resist, just bring some tissues.) And make sure that you don’t have a big fat bush of whatever makes you sneeze planted right outside your open window! If you’re allergic to indoor allergens, I have good news for you - just check out this link about how cleaning can relieve your allergies.

3 - Consider investing in a good vacuum (with a HEPA filter) This will help you out some no matter which allergies you have, but especially if they’re the indoor type. Cheap vacuums, even those that say their bags “catch allergens” tend to actually let a lot of them back out in the air as you vacuum. Get a good vacuum once, and you’ll notice the clean air difference as you clean - and you won’t be replacing it all the time, either!

I have two vacuum recommendations, both moderately priced (around $500)

We use commercial Sanitaire HEPA uprights in our company to get the maximum dry soil removal before starting to clean your carpets. The model is SC9180, and can be bought at local vacuum stores, or from us directly. The Sanitaire uses disposable bags and has a washable HEPA filter, an extra-long cord and lots of power.

I also have many clients with Dyson vacuums who truly love them, particularly for their outstanding performance on pet hair. You can find these at larger retailers like Target or at hardware stores like Kroeger’s here in Durango.

Next time I’ll explain a little more about indoor allergens, and how we can help reduce your symptoms!

Learn more about carpet and upholstery cleaning at www.ultrasteamcleaning.com

Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at www.RugMastersOfDurango.com

Posted in dust mites, upholstery cleaning, allergy relief, allergies, Carpet Cleaning | 1 Comment »

22. February 2009 by Dean of Clean.

In these turbulent economic times, everybody is trying to make their dollar go farther. Unfortunately, some businesses are taking advantage of that fact by “slashing prices” - and slashing service and workmanship right along with them!

The truth is, we get what we pay for when we invest wisely - be it in services or goods, large or small purchases. Sometimes, the “low price” up front leads to a higher price later on - either through hidden charges not disclosed in the “special” or through shoddy work that requires re-doing sooner than a good, professional job would have.

When we’re buying goods, like autos or books, we can hold, touch and examine the object before we buy it (which is a good argument for buying local!) A lot can be told about the investment we’re about to make, and we can usually feel secure in that purchase.

However, buying services is a little different. It can be difficult to know if you’re going to get a good job until you see the finished work. Some services, such as plumbing or electrical repair, are almost completely “out of sight” - unless water starts leaking or sparks start flying, that is! So a little more due diligence is in order. Here are some basic questions to ask any service provider before investing in their work:

1 - How long have you been doing this? What training do you have? (Experience and education count! Look for firms and individuals that have been certified by non-profit educational organizations in their field of work. Membership in trade associations is also a good sign…and a call to the Better Business Bureau never hurts, either!)

2 - Can you provide references? (Any reputable company should be able to show you comments by other satisfied clients. And it’s always a good idea to ask around your circle of friends and get comments from anyone who has used them.)

3 - What guarantee do you offer? (At a minimum, a company should make sure you are completely satisfied with the work. But a truly professional company will go “the extra mile” and provide more than just the bare minimum guarantee of satisfaction. They will ensure that you are truly delighted with the service and workmanship that you receive.)

4 - Will you provide me with an exact, written quote before starting work? What will you charge, and what does it include? (Many service businesses can provide an exact quote before work starts. Some, like remodelers or construction trades, will have to provide merely an estimate, but any ongoing changes should be communicated to and approved by you along the way. Beware of companies that offer “ballpark phone quotes” without examining the job first - these often change when they get to your house! Also, make sure that compare “apples to apples” by finding out what different charges actually get you. There can be wide differences in materials, products and services rendered from one company to another, even when they seem similar on the surface!

These points apply for almost any service you can think of. Next time, I’ll give you more hints for finding excellence in the carpet cleaning industry!

Get free spot removal tips and current specials at UltraSteamCleaning.com

Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at RugMastersOfDurango.com

Posted in bargain, cheap, durango, Carpet Cleaning | No Comments »

29. January 2009 by Dean of Clean.

Strange as it sounds, winter is actually a great time to clean your carpets - for a couple of reasons:

1 - Your house is closed up more this time of year, keeping dust and allergens circulating inside (especially if you have forced-air heat) Carpet and upholstery acts like a huge filter, trapping soil and allergens - but like all filters, it works best if it’s clean! So by cleaning now, you’ll not only beautify your carpet, but you’ll breathe easier too! (And if you have allergies to pets or dustmites, ask about our Allergy Relief Treatment that will denature these allergens for up to 6 months to help keep your allergies in check.)

2 - Since most people are waiting until spring to clean, savvy consumers know they’ll get the best deals by cleaning now! Our courteous, certified technicians have more time to spend at your home working on difficult stains or taking care of any extra work you decide to have done, and I offer my best possible specials right now to just “break even” during the slow months and keep these great people working instead of laying them off and re-hiring come spring like some companies do.

In fact, we’re doing our annual “2 for 1″ special right now! Have us clean and Scotchgard your carpets in February, and we’ll give you a certificate for FREE Spring Cleaning of the traffic areas by May 30th. You can have clean, healthy carpets now…AND later! Just call 385-8444 to schedule your appointment…and have a great Snowdown!
cl

Get free spot removal tips and current specials at www.ultrasteamcleaning.com

Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at www.rugmastersofdurango.com

Posted in carpet cleaner, special, coupon, rug cleaning, durango, Carpet Cleaning | 1 Comment »

30. December 2008 by Dean of Clean.

Hi There! Richard Carpenter here, sharing our January specials with you:

1 - Donate $25 in non-perishable food, cash or check to Manna Soup Kitchen, and we’ll give you 100 square feet of carpet cleaning and ScotchGard ( a $57 value!)

OR

We’ll give you $50 OFF Stone, Tile or Grout Cleaning or Rug Cleaning with your donation!

As a special January Bonus, we’ll buy you a FREE Red Ball ticket for every $100 you spend with us this month! Red Ball proceeds support Rotary service projects here in our community, as well as funding local nonprofits…and you could win $5000 on February 7th! (Be at DMR that day to win lots of door prizes - but you need not be present to win the 1st, 2nd or 3rd place cash prizes!)

Hope to see you soon!
Get free spot removal tips and current specials at www.ultrasteamcleaning.com

Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at www.rugmastersofdurango.com

Posted in tile cleaning, stone cleaning, rug cleaning, Carpet Cleaning | No Comments »

30. September 2008 by Dean of Clean.

Hi folks! Just a quick post to apprise you of our October fundraiser…

A healthy home starts with a healthy you! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so check out cancer.org for information on prevention and treatment.

My older sister is a breast cancer survivor, so this month both of my companies, UltraSteam and RugMasters of Durango are donating 10% of their carpet and rug cleaning revenue to the new Breast Care Center at Mercy, and the American Cancer Society. Get all the details by clicking the title link, or call me at 385-8444 to reserve your appointment!

Get free spot removal tips and current specials at www.ultrasteamcleaning.com

Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at www.rugmastersofdurango.com

Posted in breast cancer, rug cleaning, durango, Carpet Cleaning | No Comments »

15. March 2008 by Dean of Clean.

By now you realize that excess dirt in your rugs and carpet is unhealthy as well as unsightly, but did you know that it also slowly destroys your carpet and rugs?

It’s true. Dirt is an abrasive - like sandpaper - and “cuts” into the fibers of your carpet and rugs as you walk on them. This results in premature wear, leading to the need for replacement long before it should have been necessary with proper maintenance.

Not to mention the “uglied-out” areas in the traffic lanes where the pile just doesn’t ever look right, even after being cleaned.

The good news - it doesn’t have to be this way!

Vacuuming is the best remedy. Tell the kids to stop watching TV and put the Hoover in their hands. Schedules will vary, but if you have, say, two kids and a pet or two, you should vacuum high traffic rooms like the living and dining areas and halls once daily, every 2nd day at most. Then do a good whole-house job once a week.

Now the secret of how to get more dirt out of your rugs and carpet…every time you vacuum!

It’s very simple, really…a time-tested trick of professional carpet cleaners and housecleaning services. Vacuum in opposite directions, at right angles to how you just did it. This way the brush can agitate the nap more fully, and dirt is removed from a couple of different directions, instead of just one. In really heavy traffic areas, like right in front of the entry doors, do three directions or even four.

Keep your home clean longer…

Vacuuming is the best defense against dirt and allergens (provided you have a good unit with HEPA filtration) as well as increasing the life of the carpet. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t “overvacuum”. Carpet and rugs were made to be vacuumed…and then professionally cleaned when need be! If you live in Durango and need in-plant rug cleaning, call RugMasters of Durango at 385-5777 for cloud-soft, fluffy-clean rugs. And if your carpet is finally in need of a professional cleaning, call Ultrasteam at 385-8444. Or visit our website, www.UltraSteamCleaning.com

Posted in remove more dirt, rug cleaning, durango, Carpet Cleaning | No Comments »

27. February 2008 by Dean of Clean.

What does your home have to do with your allergies?


The answer may be lots! It depends on what you’re allergic to.

In our Southwest Colorado area, seasonal allergies to various pollens and plants can (and do) strike anywhere, especially outdoors. There’s not much that cleaning your home can do for these allergies. Consult your health practitioner for possible treatments.

But if you or a family member is allergic to pets or dustmites, or has asthma, simply cleaning house will provide enormous relief! Allergens produced by cats (Fel d 1) dogs (Can f 1) or dust mites (Der f 1, Der p 1) can be cleaned out of your carpet, upholstery and mattresses by a competent professional cleaner using hot water extraction.

“Exposure to allergens produced by dust mites - found in nearly every indoor environment - can lead to asthma in children who are predisposed to developing the disease.”
- Institute of Medicine

Dust mites feed on our dead skin cells, and are not, in and of themselves, harmful - but there are allergens in their tiny dead bodies and waste that cause a reaction in some people and aggravate asthma in others. A dust mite will produce 200 times its own body weight in feces during its short lifetime! Mattresses contain 60% of the dust mites found in the home.

If you have asthma or allergies, the first step is to clean your mattress thoroughly, wash pillows (or get new ones), then use hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers designed to keep the mites out. Launder the bedding frequently to remove accumulated mites, waste and other allergens.

Then have the carpet and upholstery cleaned - preferably twice a year - with hot water extraction, and consider applying ResponsibleCare Allergy Relief Treatment, a natural, seed-based product which denatures the allergens for up to 6 months to prevent allergic reactions.

This is how it works: picture an allergen as a key, and the allergic reaction as a lock. When the right “key” fits a lock, the sneezing and wheezing starts! The Allergy Relief Treatment changes the shape of the allergen proteins so they no longer “fit the lock” of your allergic reaction. And it lasts up to six months when applied to carpet, upholstery and mattresses. There’s even a laundry version that can be used periodically on your bedding for further relief.

For more information in the Durango, Colorado area, call 970-385-8444 and ask for a Free Carpet Audit and Exact, no-obligation Quote. Or log onto www.ultrasteamcleaning.com and click on “secrets of allergy relief”.

In other areas, you can find qualified, professional cleaners on www.ethicalservices.com or www.iicrc.org!

Posted in upholstery cleaning, durango, allergy relief, allergies, Carpet Cleaning | No Comments »