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Josh Jabara
Josh Jabara is Sales Manager of hard surface flooring at Jabara’s Carpet Outlet. After attending WSU, the family business became a large part of Josh’s adult life. His father Tom, mother Susan, and his uncle George assisted in that endeavor to a large degree. Perhaps one of Josh’s greatest strengths is his hands-on approach. Josh can be reach by calling (316) 267-2512 or you may visit their website @ www.jabaras.com
Carpet, Tile & Floor Covering
2009-10-01 15:50:00
Cleaning carpets before winter
Question: After being outside all summer it’s now time to enjoy the comforts of our home. Do you have any tips on carpet cleaning?
Answer: Traditionally, fall is the time when we start to think about winterizing our home, mainly getting storm windows out of storage and making sure our chimneys are clear of debris, BUT our carpets and upholstery have taken a beating this summer as well. Constant traffic and hard use take their toll in excessive wear and tear on your furnishings. Unexpected spills, spots appearing as if by magic, PLUS...all summer long those nasty creeping critters, like dust mites, have had time to live and breed in your carpet and couches. With all the in-and-out traffic, the outdoor pollutants we always talk about (pollens, bacteria, cigarette smoke, grease, tar and industrial waste) have been carried into your home and deposited in your carpet and on your furnishings. Somehow, kicking back and relaxing indoors doesn’t sound as appealing when you think about the quality of your indoor air environment now does it. This can help; include carpet and upholstery in your early fall winterizing steps by getting them cleaned and refreshed now! How to Select a Cleaning Professional It’s amazing how hard it can be to choose the right carpet cleaning professional. I had to learn just like you, but I get experience every day, here are some pointers learned from trial and error. TIP ONE: Choosing a company solely by price doesn’t work. The truth is, when we invest wisely, we get what we pay for. Call the cheapest company you can find, and I’ll wager you get a big sales pitch with a little bit of cleaning. It only makes sense that the cheapest company has to cut costs by using cheap cleaning agents, cheap cleaning equipment, and cheap personnel spending as little time as possible cleaning your carpet. Is that really going to remove all the contaminants, oils, dirt and sand from the carpet? If not, then the lowest price company really isn’t a bargain at all. TIP TWO: Which method is better? Many professionals claim to have an exclusive method. Only they can use this method, and it is the only method you should allow to be used in your home. Doesn’t this sound like a trap to lure you into paying for a gimmick? Consider this: If I had just invented the world’s best cleaning machine, I would sell it to more than one cleaner in each city, I would sell it to every carpet cleaner in the world. That way, I would make the most money, and do the most good. So whenever someone tells me they have an exclusive method, I become suspicious. If nobody else has the cleaning method, it might be that nobody else wants it. Every cleaning method has strengths and weaknesses. Most companies use a truck mounted steam cleaning, the method recommended by the world’s largest carpet manufacturers. In fact, 95% of all carpet cleaners use this preferred method for that very reason. TIP THREE: Cleaning the carpet yourself is a waste of money and time. Sure you can rent a machine or buy one, but how much of those contaminants do you think it’ll really get out? Can it pull sand from deep within the carpet and clean off both the oil and water soluble soils? Furthermore, when you consider the value of your time, you stand to lose more money than you could allegedly save, especially if you get hurt and miss work. TIP FOUR: How to get more cleaning for your dollar. This is really a four-step process. First, point out every spot you are concerned about. Tell the technician what the spot is. When we know what caused a spot, it is more likely we can remove it. Second, prepare your carpet to be cleaned. Remove the furnishings. Remove all breakables from the work area. Vacuum and clean the baseboards before we come. Remember, the better prepared you are, the fewer obstacles to distract us from doing the best job ever. Third, never be too shy to complain. So after we leave, if you discover anything more we can do, please, please, please call me! Finally, have an open parking space as close as possible to your front door.
 
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