Cleaning Services - Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How often should I have my wall-to-wall carpet cleaned?
A. Most carpet manufacturers and fiber producers recommend that your wall-to-wall
carpet be cleaned every 12 to 24 months. The Environmental Protection Agency
suggests even more frequent cleaning, depending on your carpet's use.
Installed residential carpet, exposed to routine use, should be programmed for
cleaning every 12 to 24 months. Carpet subjected to extreme soiling or heavy use, pets,
particularly high traffic areas, or carpet installed in homes occupied by persons
with allergy or respiratory problems require greater cleaning frequency. Carpet
receiving limited traffic needs less frequent cleaning.
Consumers should not wait until their carpet appears soiled before cleaning. Significant
soil accumulation at the base of the carpet fibers occurs long before it is visible at the fiber tips. Experts agree that clean carpet contributes not only to the overall aesthetics
of your interior surroundings, but it plays a vital role in the healthful state of the
overall environment in which people work, live, and spend the majority of their time.
Regular vacuuming and immediate attention to spots and spills will keep your carpet cleaner longer.
Q. Do soil retardants really work?
A. Soil retardants can work very well when they are applied correctly. They are not an impenetrable barrier to stains and soil. Soil retardant doesn't take the place of regular cleaning. Quality wool fibers are naturally soil retardant.
Q. What makes you better than other cleaners?
A. After 105 years the difference usually comes down to experience and judgment. Our focus is on doing the best possible job for you. We want new customers to become regular customers.
Q. Why are you more expensive?
A. We're not more expensive when you compare results and value. Many companies 'sell up' after getting into your home with a low advertised price. Call us for a free estimate and you'll find out how reasonably priced we are.
Q. What kind of spotter is the best to use on my carpet and on my upholstery?
A. Avoid using most carpet 'spotters'. Please refer to our stain removal guide.
Q. Why do I need a pad for my rug?
A. The appropriate pad offers stability, minimizing movement of the rug and more importantly provides a shock absorber to diminish the impact foot traffic will otherwise place on the rug. The right pad can double the life of a rug or carpet.
Q. Do I need to move my furniture before you clean my carpets?
A. We ask that you move small delicate items, statuary and collectables. In most cases it is not necessary to move large furniture. We move most couches, chairs and tables.
Q. How do I get rid of odor from cat and dog urine?
A. Animal urine is the most common and troublesome problem the carpet or rug cleaner encounters. Chemical reaction between the urine and carpet or rug will vary depending on animal type, animal health, animal diet and of course the material and dye of the carpet or rug. Urine removal is the all-important first step and is most successfully accomplished by submersion washing of the contaminated piece. Enzyme treatment is a common second step to eliminate or to at least minimize lingering odor. Regardless of the effort to thoroughly apply these procedures, some urine may remain, an odor may continue and a permanent discoloration can exist because of dye change. Urine removal is always more successful when treated as soon as possible.
Q. Will my carpet need cleaning more often, once it is cleaned?
A.This question is a hold-over from decades past when detergents used would leave
a slightly sticky residue that actually attracted soil, leading to a more rapid
resoiling rate. Some cleaning systems still being used by other cleaners will leave
residues that contribute to rapid resoiling.
We take great care to prevent unnecessary resoiling by using specially formulated
detergents and improved extraction cleaning methods, leaving your carpet cleaner
and in less frequent need of cleaning.
Q. How do I know if my rug is hand made or machine made?
A. Often a label exists on the back of machine made rugs describing the rug and its origin. Machine made fringe sewn on the ends is another telling characteristic of a machine made rug. The mystery is rarely solved that easily and generally requires inspection of the rug by a knowledgeable rug professional. We are happy to provide that expertise.
Q. Who should clean my oriental rug?
A. Specialty area rugs and Oriental rugs should not be cleaned in the home. In-plant cleaning, by an experienced, specially equipped professional rug cleaning firm
assures you a safe and thorough cleaning.
With our professional in-plant rug cleaning service you can expect a more thorough removal of abrasive particulate soil and unhealthy allergens. Special attention is given to stubborn stains and follow-up procedures. In addition, the in-plant profesional has better control of fugitive dyes and dimensional stability.
Rapid drying, control of temperature and humidity guard against weakening of the rug`s foundation due to prolonged and improper drying techniques.
Q. Should I remove the cushion covers for upholstery cleaning?
A. No. The covers stay on the cushion so they keep their form. The fabric covers are not immersed; they are carefully hand cleaned with the cushions inside.
Q. Why do you need to take the furniture out of my home to clean?
A. We clean a great deal of furniture in the home but some fabrics need a controlled environment for the best possible results. Judgment and experience is critical in deciding how to safely clean your furniture whether we clean in your home or in our plant.
Q. Who are the Atiyeh Brothers?
A. Atiyeh Bros. was started and named after brothers George and Aziz in 1900. Brothers Richard, Edward and Victor, who served as a 2-term Governor of the State of Oregon, carried on the business as the second generation until the mid 80's. Now the business is run by third generation David Atiyeh and his partner Thomas Marantette.
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