10. April 2009 by Dean of Clean.

Durango has a new business directory and review site…kind of like a phonebook, only on the web. The coolest part? You can rate businesses, or shop for a business by checking out the reviews it has gotten from other people, and the articles that the employees may have written in their fields of expertise.

Just click on the title to see the home page, or click below to see UltraSteam or RugMasters’ pages, reviews and articles.

UltraSteam on Buzztown: Carpet, Stone, Tile and Grout Cleaning for Durango, (81303, 81301) Bayfield, (81122) and Hesperus (81326)

RugMasters of Durango on Buzztown: Oriental, Indian, Persian and Navajo Rug Cleaning in Durango (81301, 81303), Telluride (81435), and Farmington (87401, 87402, 87410)

Posted in buzztown, rugmasters, carpet cleaner, ultrasteam, rug cleaning, durango | No Comments »

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 »

2. February 2009 by Dean of Clean.

Hello again! Have you ever spilled wine on your oriental carpet? Or knocked over a glass of juice on the carpet in the den? Have you wondered if there’s a “right way” to clean it up? Wonder no more!

This week I’m bringing you a current video I just shot on how to spotclean wool rugs. However, the basic steps are the same for synthetic wall-to-wall carpet too:

1 - Scrape up Solids, if applicable.

2 - Blot up liquids - take a clean, folded absorbent terry towel and press down or stand on it. You’ll be surprised how much liquid just wicks right up into the towel (see video!)

3 - Apply a safe spot remover. You can call us at 385-8444 in the Durango area for a bottle of our professional spotter (which is safe for wool, by the way) or use club soda, as I do in the video. Let it penetrate, then blot it up. Don’t scrub with a brush, as it may damage the fibers (the carpet or rug will tend to “fuzz up”) and wipe gently if you need to remove more solids. If it’s a liquid spill, all you need is blotting - rubbing will only work the spill in deeper!

4 - Rinse - pour a cup of plain water, with a capful of vinegar added, on the spot, and blot it out thoroughly. This helps prevent residue, especially from inferior “grocery store” spot removers, that can cause “re-appearing spots”. Turn the towel to a fresh clean side and continue blotting and turning, or changing towels, until you no longer get moisture transfer onto your towel. If it was an especially large spill, you can leave a folded towel on top of it with a heavy book on top to help wick out some more moisture as it dries, or use a hairdryer or fan to dry the rug.

This should remove most common spills from your rug or carpet. Of course, if you have an unusual situation such as pet staining or coffee stains, you may need professional help. Call 970-385-5777 in the Durango or Farmington area, to arrange pickup or to drop off a rug at our Bodo Park Cleaning Studio, and we’ll deep-clean your fine rugs like the works of art they are!

(If you like the video, you can see more videos of our work and tips on carpet, rug and floor care at www.youtube.com/ultrasteamdurango and www.youtube.com/rugmastersofdurango)

Learn more about fine area rug cleaning at RugMastersOfDurango.com

Posted in farmington, wine stain spot cleaning carpet rug cleaner, rugs, rug cleaning, durango | 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!
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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 »

23. January 2009 by Dean of Clean.

1 - Vacuum Frequently, with a quality upright. Vacuuming is not bad for rugs! (Just be careful around the ends not to suck up the fringe.) And, flip the rug over on a hard floor now and then, vacuum the back of it thoroughly with a good upright vacuum. This will help vibrate some extra dirt out of the front. Then turn it back over (but not in the dirt that probably just fell out of it!) and vacuum the face. Then sweep the floor.

2 - Rotate the Rug every 6 months. This will help it wear evenly, and prevent areas that get more traffic or sunlight from soiling and fading faster than the rest of the rug.

3 - Spot Clean it with Club Soda or a WoolSafe Spotter. DO NOT use store-shelf products (even the ones that have “wool” in their name!) on woven wool rugs. The bleaches and color brighteners in them will damage the dyes and fibers. In the Durango area, just call us at 385-5777 and we’ll be happy to give you a FREE bottle of WoolSafe Spot Remover.

4 - Have it Professionally Cleaned Every 1-3 years. OK, you’d expect me to say that…but really, your fine rugs are works of art. Doesn’t it make sense to take care of them so they last longer? If the abrasive soils are kept washed out of it, a rug can easily last generations. Or it can be worn out completely in ten or fifteen years if not cared for correctly. This care includes a good dusting to remove the dry, abrasive soil that grinds away the fibers, and a gentle shampoo and “bath” to rinse it thoroughly clean. Rugs in high traffic areas like entries, living rooms and kitchens should be cleaned yearly. Rugs that see less traffic, like a master bedroom, might be OK with every 2 years, and a seldom-used rug in a guest room every 3-5 years.

If you’d like more information, or to schedule pickup or dropoff of your rugs for cleaning, call us at 385-5777 or visit RugMastersOfDurango.com.

Thanks, and have a great day!

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 cleaner, rug care, wool, cleaning, rugs, oriental rugs, rug, durango | No Comments »

3. December 2008 by Dean of Clean.

Hi! Richard Carpenter here again, and this is the time of year that we start to see water damage jobs from frozen pipes. So before it gets icy cold outside, here are some quick tips to stay warm, cozy and DRY this winter!

1 - Check all your outside water faucets, and disconnect the hoses. Even so-called “Freezeless” faucets WILL freeze and break if the hose is left connected with water in it…and they’ll break inside the wall, draining into the house instead of outside!

2 - Check your washing machine hoses. Broken washer hoses are the most common water damage we see. The hoses are good for maybe five years, whereas the washer lasts 10-20. But it’s easy to forget about the hoses…until you wake up one night to water around the bed! Check the hoses every year, and if they show signs of wear, replace them at once - they only cost about $5-$10 at Kroeger’s or your local hardware store.

3 - Water heaters are the second most common break we see, so check the drain valves on them from time to time, as well as pipes going into them, and make sure that the surrounding area doesn’t freeze. Seems like most of the bad ones we see are at about 12-15 years old.

Finally, there are devices you can install on your waterline to sense a sudden surge in flow, and shut off the water until you determine the cause of the leak. Check with your local hardware store; if they don’t stock it they should be able to order it.

And, if (god forbid) you DO wake up in a puddle one morning, call UltraSteam at 385-8444 for quick response, structural drying and cleanup by IICRC Certified Water Damage experts with over 40 years of experience!

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 floods, structural drying, flood, water damage, durango | 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 »

11. September 2008 by Dean of Clean.

So…now you know a little about how to choose a rug, here are questions to ask any rug cleaner before entrusting your precious rugs to them!

1 - How long have you been cleaning rugs, and are you certified to do so by the IICRC? (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification - check for a certified cleaner near you at iicrc.org)
Experience and education are very important - you don’t want an amateur “learning how” on your rug!

2 - How will you clean my rugs?
Fine wool rugs should be cleaned in-plant as follows: dusted and deep-vacuumed to remove dry soil, then hand-washed and cold-rinsed to protect the dyes and fibers. Don’t settle for someone saying “I’ll just steam-clean it at your house”!

3 - Do you remove dry soil before washing? How?
Very few cleaners own the specialized dusting and vacuuming equipment needed to remove as much as 90% of the dry soil before washing. This can result in deep, abrasive soil being left behind to grind away at the rug and wear it out, even though it “looks” cleaner on the surface.

4 - Will you inspect the rug for pre-existing conditions, and test it for crocking and bleeding before cleaning?
These are essential steps to avoid damaging the rug. Unfortunately, not everyone follows them. If your cleaner seems confused or doen’t know what you’re talking about, look for another cleaner!

5 - Are you insured?
This should be a no-brainer, but again, not everybody carries insurance.

6 - Do you stand behind your work with a money-back guarantee?
Of course we do! And so should anyone you entrust your rugs to!

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

Posted in navajo rugs, oriental rugs, persian rugs, indian rugs, rug cleaning, rug washing, durango | No Comments »

2. September 2008 by Dean of Clean.

Hi again! Today’s post is about area rugs. More and more homes have beautiful wood, tile or stone floors these days, but most people choose to warm and soften at least a few rooms with a nice area rug at some point. As Durango’s only IICRC Certified rug cleaner, let me give you a few pointers on what to look for when buying a new (or used) rug.

#1 - Buy Woven, Not Tufted. Turn the rug over to discover how it’s made. A woven rug shows the pattern on the back, since the face yarns are knotted on the foundation yarns. Tufted rugs will have a blank (usually white or beige) cotton backing, glued to the foundation material that the yarns were tufted through. The glue will break down over time, and the rug will weaken. A good woven rug, whether hand or machine-woven, is stronger, and usually made of superior materials than most tufted goods. There are a few high-end exceptions in tufted rugs, but you won’t find them at the local “big-box” stores - only, perhaps, in Scottsdale or other affluent areas where custom rugmakers have showrooms.

#2 - Buy Wool or Nylon. Nylon is the most durable choice, and has the most resiliency and stain resistance of the synthetic fibers - great for a playroom. Wool may be more appropriate if anyone in the house is chemically sensitive, since it is a natural fiber. Fine hand-knotted textiles such as Afgahni rugs, Oriental rugs, Persian rugs or Native American Rugs (such as Navajo rugs) will always be wool. Wool is very durable, but has less resistance to stains, so care should be used to keep it clean and treat any spots promptly. Silk rugs, though beautiful, do not in my opinion belong on the floor, at least not in any high-traffic area; the fibers are very fine, and have less resiliency than wool. Consider displaying them on the wall.

AVOID: Olefin (also called Polypropylene); though it is very lustrous at first, it quickly abrades and dulls, and is prone to matting down. Acrylic also does not have the resilience of wool, and is more susceptible to staining and traffic soil.

Especially avoid Rayon, often called “Art Silk” on rugs. The “art” stands for “artificial” but it is far weaker than silk fiber, being made from regenerated cellulosic fibers (usually wood pulp and cotton linters). A “cheap” silk rug is often really made of rayon.

If you have more questions on care and cleaning of area rugs, visit my website, RugMastersOfDurango.com, or call me at 385-5777 in Durango. (We have a rotating selection of fine rugs for sale at our cleaning plant.) There is also a more in-depth rug link below, and future posts will cover spot cleaning options for your fine rugs.

Interested in Rug Cleaning? See: squidoo.com/howtochoosearugcleaner

Posted in navajo rugs, oriental rugs, persian rugs, indian rugs, rug cleaning, rug washing, durango | 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 »