You just got your carpets professionally cleaned for the first time in a while and you’re enjoying the freshness and the fluff that has returned to your carpet. Then, you notice a brown spot. What starts as confusion can turn to frustration really quick when you just paid to have a professional attend to your carpet. So what is this brown spot?
Water Not Sufficiently Extracted
These spots can be the result of water not being sufficiently extracted during the drying process. Do not be hasty to think that too much water was used. In fact the appropriate amount of hot water may have been used, but if it was not extracted properly it can cause browning. The browning can be caused by the water wicking up the carpet fiber as it dries, carrying with it soil from the carpet backing and the pad. This is similar to oil being drawn up an oil candle wick.
Tannin Stains From Jute Fibers
Another cause in older carpet is the wicking up of tannin stains from the jute backing. Many older carpets have a backing made from jute fiber. This is the same type of fiber that crafters use to make macramé projects. Jute fiber is a vegetable (cellulose) fiber and like tea, bark, and other plant fibers is naturally infused with vegetable dyes known as tannin. The tannin can rise up through the carpet fibers as they dry if water was not extracted enough to prevent wicking.
To ensure that carpets do not develop this cellulose browning, your carpet cleaning technician should do extra drying passes over the carpet. The carpet should also be raked with a carpet rake. Carpet raking lifts the carpet pile, allowing it to dry faster and leaves the carpet fluffy instead of matted and crushed.
Be sure to ask your carpet cleaner specific questions before hiring.
At Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning in Colorado Springs, our technicians are trained to perform extra drying passes over the carpet with the carpet cleaning tools. The extra drying passes are done slower than the cleaning passes. Additionally, to aid in drying, we often use drying fan
Since 2005, we have proudly served the remarkable greater area of Colorado Springs. Through thousands of satisfied clients, we have earned the reputation of best carpet cleaning company in Colorado Springs. Our highly experienced, certified technicians all have a deep desire to get the job done right, the first time. Each job is completed with client satisfaction as the driving factor; connect with us for a premium job done right the first time so you can get back to your life and enjoy your living area.
Carpet cleaning may be in our name, but our certified technicians have a wide range of knowledge that allows us to offer all of these services:
Although Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning is located in Colorado Springs, we serve cities in the El Paso, Teller, and Douglas counties.
El Paso County
Teller County
Douglas County
Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning is ready to serve you. We know hiring the right carpet cleaner can feel like a lot of pressure, but we are here to answer all of your questions, so we can provide you with the best clean possible.
Have you ever gotten your carpets cleaned and after the technician leaves you noticed scrapes on the wall? You stand there scratching your head. Has this damage always been there? You can't help but wonder if it really was a result of the technician’s carelessness. Thankfully, if you hire a carpet cleaner that uses corner guards, you won’t one into this problem.
Corner guards are plastic shields that wrap around the corners of walls in your home to protect them from damage caused by carpet cleaning hoses. As hoses are pulled through the house, they can rub, scuff, and mark up the corners in your home. Whether the corners are square or rounded, the rubbing of the hose may actually break off bits of drywall or texture. In some cases, the damage inflicted will require touch up painting or re-texturing of the drywall. It is also important to note that stair-posts, banisters and baseboards are not immune to this damage.
Homeowners, property managers, and real estate agents should ask whether a potential carpet cleaning company uses corner guards. If the carpet cleaning company says “no” or claims their technicians do not need them, it is highly advised that you do not let them in your home or business.
Asking these questions will also put the carpet cleaners on alert that you are a discriminating customer who values their property. The cleaners will be more conscious of the quality of work they are providing. Homeowners should request that corner guards be used and document any damage done by carpet cleaning hoses.
As a professional carpet cleaner in Colorado Springs, we use corner guards on every job. Ensuring a quality clean while showing the utmost respect for you and your property is our promise. Check out our services and see how we can help you.
Treating pet urine stains and odors on carpets can be frustrating for pet owners. Most pet owners will try to treat pet stains and odors by themselves. They will spend a lot of money on store-bought products from the grocery store and pet stores, only to be disappointed. One of the best ways to avoid the hassle is to hire a professional carpet cleaner.
Pet urine contamination is caused by urine that has soaked into the carpet. Some urine will stay on the surface level of the carpet, but a lot of times, the urine can soak further down. If the urine reaches the sub-floor, the pad, or has gotten on too much of the carpet, then the contamination should be treated.
Pet urine can be difficult to clean. When there is a three-inch stain on the surface, the urine has penetrated into the pad. At this point, it has spread out on the sub-floor, covering an area three times greater than what is visible on the surface. To reach the sub-floor, there needs to be enough lift and airflow. This can be achieved with a truck-mounted cleaning system combined with a subsurface extraction tool.
To start, the urine contamination needs to be identified using a black light. Next, pour a hot solution of Odor and Stain Remover (OSR) directly into each stain. The solution follows the path of the urine through the carpet and pad down to the sub-floor. The solution will then “dwell” in the carpet, allowing the solution to dissolve and neutralize the alkali salts in the urine. The alkali salts are the parts that give off an odor. After a sufficient dwell time, a subsurface extraction tool is placed on the stained area. The tool creates a sealed surface. This enables the truck-mounted system to pull the solution with the dissolved salts off the sub-floor, out of the pad and carpet, and then into the truck-mounted waste tank.
The next step is to clean the carpet with hot steam and then apply Odorcide. The Odorcide is applied in two ways. First, it is added to the pre-spray solution for cleaning and sprayed topically onto the carpet. It is then raked in with a carpet rake. In extreme cases, the carpet may be rinsed with several gallons of water and flash extracted (no dwell time). This is done to remove any lingering urine residue. If the carpet still retains some yellow staining, it can be treated with a leave-in oxidizing stain remover.
If more than 20% of the carpet surface is affected by urine, it is recommended to have a carpet and pad replacement instead of cleaning. When a carpet is replaced, it is also recommended to apply an antibacterial agent to the sub-floor and have the sub-floor painted with Killz primer as an odor barrier. The reason most store-bought products do not work is that they do not penetrate all the way to the sub-floor.
There are a few preventative measures a pet owner can take is to limit urine contamination. Two of the best options are pet doors or training.
Pet doors - The use of pet doors and baby gates is a cheap way to keep pets in certain spaces. Many pet doors are easy to install and no permanent modification to the home is necessary.
Training - Training your dog will take time, but it is worth it. There are various methods you can use to stop your dog from peeing on the carpet.
At Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning, we know pet urine can be tough to clean out. This is why all of the products we use are industry standard products used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If you would like to get your carpet treated for urine contamination or you need your carpets cleaned, call us today!
Read: The Five Dogs Most Notorious for Urinating on Your Carpet
At Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning, we know getting your carpets cleaned is a pretty unique experience. When preparing for a cleaning, you are focused on vacuuming and adjusting furniture. This makes it easy to forget about safety concerns. While carpet cleaners do use kid and pet safe solutions, many clients aren’t aware that the carpet cleaning hose can be a hazard for kids and pets if they are nearby.
The two inch hose attached to a truck mounted carpet cleaning machine can be very dangerous if left unattended. Along with being a tripping hazard, carpet cleaning machines produce a lot of airflow and lift (suction). If a hose were left unattended and a small child grabbed the end of the hose, the child would be in danger. A curious child looking into an active hose could get the hose too close to their face, causing the hose to suction to their face.
Children and hoses are a huge concern, but pets are also vulnerable to hoses. A curious dog, cat or loose hamster could be seriously injured or killed if they became attached to an active hose.
A good carpet cleaning technician will ask about children and pets in the home. They should never leave an active hose unattended in a home with young children or pets. The hose should be attached to a carpet or upholstery tool any time the carpet cleaning technician leaves the area.
At Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning, we train our technicians on hose safety. It only takes a moment of carelessness to cause an injury, so we cover issues that many other carpet cleaning companies may not even consider. Hiring an IICRC Certified Firm like Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning will reduce the risk of injury in your home to children and pets. Learn more about our practices by contacting us today.
Next, Read: Is Carpet Cleaning Safe for Pets
Winter is the season when we spend the most time indoors. It is too cold to play outside and the windows are usually closed. With the extended time indoors and the closed up home, indoor air pollution increases dramatically in the winter months. What is trapped in your carpet also affects your home's indoor air quality. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to fix it.
With the hustle and bustle of your home, it’s no surprise that lots of things can find its way to your carpet. Most commonly, the following will get trapped in your carpet:
Many individuals may not realize how much will build up within their carpet. Additionally, homeowners don’t always know the effects it will have on their home’s air quality in the winter.
Indoor Air Quality has many contributors. During the winter, we track in snow, ice-melt, and salt. Additionally, our pets stay inside more in the winter; they also drag in dirt, snow and mud. All winter long, this soil mixed with pet dander and dust will accumulate. In your home, your carpet is the biggest air filter you have. Carpets trap all of the soil and allergens, which get kicked into the air as you walk on the carpet. For those with respiratory issues and asthma, we recommend cleaning more often, but especially in winter. Vacuuming of the carpet should be done weekly at a minimum.
Staying indoor also means there will be more contact with the carpet than there was in spring and summer. The heavily traveled or traffic areas will be taking more abuse during the winter and if not properly maintained, will shorten the life of the carpet. In some cases, the damage can be irreversible.
Don’t risk the health of your family by waiting until Spring or Summer to have your carpets cleaned. Carpet manufacturers recommend cleaning your carpet every 6-12 months with the hot water extraction method. This is the method used by Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning as we want to ensure a healthy home for your family. If you’re still concerned about a winter carpet cleaning, check out the winter precautions we take to make sure it’s a smooth process.
Everyone has that favorite couch or reading chair that is used daily and has likely traveled from house to house with you. This also means that your favorite couch or reading chair is probably dirty. Hiring an upholstery cleaner can be a fantastic option to get your furniture restored to its former glory. Before you hire anyone, be sure to know these specifics.
Type of Soil - Determining what type of soil is on your furniture will help your upholstery cleaner use the correct treatment for the best possible outcome. Food, grease, dirt, and pet stains are all treated differently.Type of Fabric - There are many types of upholstery fabric and knowing which ones you own can mean the difference between success and disaster. Different types of fabric include:
Under your couch cushions, there is usually a manufacturer's tag with care instructions. The tag should also identify the type and percentage of each fabric used in the construction of the item.
Cotton and synthetic fabrics are two fabrics that should be handled with exceptional care. Haitian and Egyptian cotton are very fragile and can easily be destroyed by an untrained or unattentive technician. Cotton, particularly white cotton, should never be cleaned with a wet cleaning method. The moment water or any water-based cleaner touches that fabric, it will turn brown. Additionally, small black specks will appear. Those specks are tiny bits of chopped-up cotton seeds that are otherwise not visible. The upholstered item is essentially ruined and the chance of restoring the item to its previous condition is virtually impossible.
Synthetic fabrics are more resilient and much easier and safer to clean than natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk. Microfiber and microsuede are very comfortable but will tend to show water marks when wet cleaned. To avoid water marks, your cleaning technician should buff the freshly cleaned fabric with a white towel and then brush the couch with a soft horsehair brush before it dries.
Water pressure is also a concern when cleaning upholstery. If the pressure is too high, the cushions will become soaked and take longer to dry. The idea is to clean the fabric on top of the cushions without water-logging the foam cushions.
At Hydro Clean Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning in Colorado Springs, we use the Sapphire Scientific upholstery cleaning tool. It has a pressure adjustment valve right at the tool. Cheaper tools used by some cleaners have no pressure adjustment valve and changing the pressure requires the technician to run all the way out to the van to adjust the pressure. This is time-consuming, inefficient, and may be overlooked.
To keep drying time to a minimum, we also use air-moving fans to speed up the drying process. On a nice warm day, opening the windows and turning on ceiling fans is also very effective.
When you start calling around for upholstery cleaning estimates, be prepared with information about the type of soil and the type of fabric. Ask about the estimated cleaning and drying time and what pressure or PSI the upholstery will be cleaned at. With this, it is also important to know the approximate size of the furniture you wish to have cleaned. This way, you will get a more accurate quote and you will know what to expect when the carpet cleaner arrives.
If you are ready to get your furniture cleaned, get in touch with Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning today. With years of experience, we’ll be able to get your favorite couch or reading chair looking new. Learn more about our upholstery cleaning service.
Read: Why Upholstery Cleaning is Important
We are proud to announce that Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award. This award reflects an exemplary year of service provided to members of the consumer review service in 2013.
We have been awarded in both the carpet cleaning and the upholstery cleaning categories. Previous awards were earned in 2012, 2011, and 2009.
"Only about 5% of the companies Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning competes with in Colorado Springs are able to earn our Super Service Award. It’s a mark of consistently great customer service."
Angie’s List Founder, Angie Hicks
Angie’s List Super Service Award 2013 winners have met strict eligibility requirements including:
Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Members can also find the 2013 Super Service Award logo next to company names in search results on Angie’s List.
Angie’s List helps consumers have happy transactions with local service professionals in more than 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to healthcare. More than 2 million paid households use Angie’s List to gain access to local ratings, exclusive discounts, the Angie’s List Magazine and the Angie’s List complaint resolution service.
If you're looking for exceptional carpet cleaning services, look no further. At Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning, we have taken many measures to ensure outstanding service. We use the best equipment, have certified technicians, and years of experience.
Update: (Jan. 28, 2019) Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning was just awarded the Angie’s List Super Service Award for 2018. Previous years earned: 2009, 2011-2017
"Buy one get one free." "Get 20% off your cleaning." Everyone loves a good deal. However, not all offers are as lovely as they seem to be. Because of this, it is essential to know all the details before hiring the company that makes the offer.
Many coupons come via direct mail, offering ridiculously low prices for carpet cleaning. Many individuals look at the coupon and say, "Wow, that is a price I can afford!" The price they pay, however, is not what is listed on the coupon.
At Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning in Colorado Springs, we understand the appeal of these deals, but we also recognize the importance of verifying what's included before booking a cleaning. Oftentimes, the coupon has a lot of caveats, so once the carpet cleaner gets to your house, the workers will explain how your particular carpet, house or stains do not qualify for the deal on the coupon.
Bare Minimum Cleaning - The carpet cleaning offered on the coupon does not include any detergent, pre-spotting, stain removal or power scrubbing
Reduced Operating Expenses - Some companies may have lower prices if they aren't offering their employees workers compensation or liability insurance. This means if their worker gets hurt on your property, you can be held liable.
Independent Contractors - Some carpet cleaning companies hire independent contractors. When doing so, they often make them responsible for purchasing their own carpet cleaning chemicals. Then, these workers can resort to using high-pressure sales tactics to cover the cost of the chemicals. There is also the possibility they may dilute the solutions, which reduces the quality of your cleaning.
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to make sure you get a quality clean at a reasonable price.
At Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning, we know choosing a cleaner to allow into your home is a big decision. If you are looking for a professional carpet cleaner that provides a quality clean, excellent customer service, and a reasonable price, check us out today!
You vacuum your carpet a couple of times each month. Does that make it clean? Unfortunately, vacuums can only clean off the surface level of your carpet. Vacuums get crumbs and some dirt, but they don't lift stains or remove odors that linger. Professional carpet cleanings are the best way to thoroughly clean your carpets. So, how often should you get your carpet professionally cleaned?
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) states:
“Most carpet manufacturers recommend that carpets are professionally cleaned by an IICRC Certified Technician every 12-18 months using a hot water extraction method to maintain the warranty. As a rule, carpets should be cleaned on a regular basis. In fact, tests have shown that if you wait until the carpet needs cleaning, you took six months off of the life of the carpet. In other words, be sure to seek professional cleaning before your carpet appears heavily soiled.”
Also read: How Often You Should Have A Professional Carpet Cleaning?
Your carpet should be cleaned often, not just for aesthetics, but to maintain good indoor air quality and prolong the life of your carpet. Your carpet is the biggest air filter in your home. It traps dirt, dust, dust mites, pet dander, and allergens. When the carpet is walked on, the allergens are released into the air. Regular professional carpet cleaning removes these contaminants, improving indoor air quality. This is important, particularly for occupants with allergies, asthma or other respiratory ailments.
Read: Carpet Cleaning for Allergens
With our varying seasons in Colorado Springs, it is easy for dirt and allergens to get into our homes. This is why Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning uses hot water extraction method to ensure a quality clean that will keep your carpet fresh. If it has been a while since you’ve had your carpets cleaned, contact us today and we’ll get your needs met.
