Author Archives: J&S Steamway

Oriental and Area Rug cleaning

by . Posted on
26 Jan

Our carpets and rugs are our homes largest filters. The fibers collects soil, dead skin, dust mites, and allergens, which then work their way through the pile to the backing, where they build up over time. The Eureka company did a study several years ago and found that a 9’ x 12’ rug can hold up to 87 pounds of dirt! Regular vacuuming and surface cleaning are inadequate to address rugs with even a fraction of this level of soiling.

The Rug Spa at J&S Steamway is Alaska’s premier Oriental and area rug cleaning facility. Our state-of-the-art, top of the line equipment provides the greatest opportunity to bring your rugs back to their original clean, healthy condition.

The J&S Rug Spa cleaning process:

Step 1: Pre-Inspection and Pick Up

We will determine as much as we possibly can about the type of rug and inherent qualities that may affect cleaning. We will outline the expected results and cleaning “prescription”. Our company will come to your home to pick up your rug, or you may drop it by our shop.

Step 2: Dry Soil Removal

Woven rugs, especially hand knotted rugs are designed to hide dry soil. We use a variety of techniques to “dust” the rugs from the front and back. A machine called a Rug Badger and special vacuum attachments are methods implemented to remove this soil build-up. This is the most important step in cleaning any textile.

Step 3: Pre-Condition

Depending on fiber content and soiling type, the rug will be pre-treated to emulsify the soils.

Step 4: Pre-Spot and Fringe Preparation

Any potentially difficult spots will be pre-treated with special solutions to increase chances of removal. The fringe is also pre-treated for maximum soil removal.

Step 5: Shampoo

Depending on fiber content and soiling type, the rug will be pre-treated to emulsify the soiling. We will then select the people and pet friendly, environmentally safe cleaning solution best suited for your specific rug type, to ensure maximum cleaning while protecting sensitive natural fibers.

Step 6: Rinse or Wash

Depending on the type of rug it will be rinsed with extraction equipment on both sides or washed in a wash pool designed especially for Oriental Rugs.

Step 7: Speed Dry

Once the soil is rinsed away, the rug will enter our Rug Revolution for final rinsing and water extraction. This machine is a centrifuge which safely spins your rug at high revolution, extracting 98 percent of the remaining water and along with it any soil remaining after the cleaning process. Our high volume air movers and dehumidifiers will then quickly complete the drying process eliminating the risk of mildew development common with other rug cleaning methods.

Step 8: Finishing

When the rug is dry, it is combed and finished with soft groomers made for specialty rugs.

Step 9: Post Inspection and Delivery

Our cleaning specialist will give the rug a final inspection and release it for pick up or delivery. Your rug will be wrapped in brown craft paper or plastic bag to protect it while in transport. Upon delivery, we will lay the rug for you.

 

A Word About Soil Filtration

by . Posted on
22 Jan

What is Soil Filtration?

Soil Filtration is the discoloration of carpet due to the passage of air through carpet fibers in concentrated areas. It is most common along baseboards on perimeter walls. Gaps between the bottom wall plate and the subfloor allow the passage of air thru the carpet. The carpet along the base acts as a filter where soil particulate is deposited.

Filtration lines can also develop under doors that are left closed for long periods of time, and around any wall penetrations such as gas piping and ducting.

Can Soil Filtration lines be removed?

The ability of your professional carpet cleaner to remove these lines varies depending on the type and amount of soil, length of time the soil has been accumulating, amount of airflow, and the color and type of carpet fiber. The discoloration can be removed from most synthetic fibers. However, in severe cases, especially on light colored carpets, traces may remain after cleaning. It is usually very difficult to completely remove filtration soiling from wool or olefin carpets.

What can you expect from J&S Steamway?

Our technicians are experienced, educated, and armed with state-of-the-art equipment and solutions. Your tech will inspect your carpet, explain the recommended treatment, and let you know up front what you should expect from the cleaning. What we will not do is over-promise and under-deliver. It is our goal to provide you the best possible information with which to make your decisions.

After Cleaning Tips for Carpet Care

by . Posted on
22 Jan

Your carpet is clean!

Now what?

Here are a few tips to help make the most of your cleaning…

  • Please allow plenty of time for your carpet and/or upholstery to dry. Drying times are normally between 4 and 24 hours, depending upon temperature and humidity, type and density of the fabric or carpet, and the treatment received.
  • We recommend minimizing traffic on damp carpet. Please remember that your feet can be slippery when walking from damp carpet onto hard surfaces or down stairs. Wearing house shoes when you need to walk on damp carpet will keep oils from feet and socks from transferring into carpet. Upholstery should not be used until fully dry.
  • Your technician may place foam blocks under the feet of furniture to prevent rust or wood stains from transferring to carpet and to prevent moisture from carpet from wicking into your furniture. Please do not remove these blocks until the carpet is fully dry.
  • In the interest of your children and pets safety, it is best to keep them off the carpet until it is completely dry.
  • On occasion, a carpet will look great after cleaning, but during the drying process areas begin to look dingy or spotting appears. This is called “wicking”. Wicking is generally caused by heavy soiling deep within the carpet beyond what even the best equipment can extract without over-wetting during the cleaning. As the surface of the fibers dry, dirt carrying moisture wicks upward, drawn by the dry fibers on the surface. This can present in large areas such as traffic patterns or be limited to smaller spots.

    Should wicking occur after your cleaning, please give us a call do discuss the options. In some cases we will come out and re-clean the affected areas at no cost to you. In other cases our techs will have recognized the potential for wicking based on heavy soiling and alerted you to the possibility. We do offer reduced rates when re-cleaning is necessary based on the need to wick heavy particulate toward the surface in a first cleaning, that is then possible to extract in a second cleaning. In either case, rest assured that your satisfaction is our primary interest!

The J&S 12 Step Carpet Cleaning Process

by . Posted on
16 Dec

Carpet Cleaning

Our carpet is the largest filter in our homes. It collects and holds dirt, volcanic ash, pet dander and pet feces tracked in from outdoors, mold spores, dust mites and their feces, dead skin, allergens and list goes on. Not a very pleasant thing to think about, but an important issue to consider none-the-less.

No two carpet cleaning companies employ the same equipment, procedures, and cleaning solutions, and no two carpets present the same issues. Over the course of near 40 years, J&S Steamway has developed what we believe to be the most comprehensive approach available in Alaska, to the cleaning of all carpet types and soiling levels.

It is our focus on continuing education, methodology, chemistry, and customer service that sets us apart in the industry. We are not only dedicated to providing the best services possible to our own customers, but we educate and supply many of our competitors as well. It is our desire to be as great an asset to our community as possible. To us, it’s not just carpet cleaning… its providing a clean and healthy environment for our families… a charge we do not take lightly!

The J&S 12 Step Carpet Cleaning Process:

Step 1: Pre-Inspection

Your technician will evaluate the overall condition of your carpet, while focusing upon fiber type, existing stain make-up, and the soiling conditions present. He will develop a plan of action best suited to these conditions and inform you of the results you might expect.

Step 2: Dry Soil Removal

Our commercial vacuums will be used to remove dry soil that household vacuums miss. This very important part of the process is deemed unnecessary by the majority of carpet cleaners who believe it will be removed during the extraction process anyway. The reality is, the more soil that exists, the more flushing is required to remove it. If not removed, it is forced deeper into the carpet pile requiring over-wetting to remove it.

Step 3: Move Furniture

We are happy to move your furniture items such as couches, recliners, and tables. Not included in your regular pricing is the moving of larger items such as china hutches, beds, and dressers. We do ask that you remove any valuable and/or breakable items from atop furniture that will be moved, ahead of the scheduled cleaning.

Step 4: Pre-Spray

Traffic areas and spotting will be pre-treated to emulsify heavy soiling in advance of regular cleaning. This extra step provides a more thorough cleaning and greater visual appeal.

Step 5: Stain & Spot treatment

Stains and difficult spots are pre-treated to provide the greatest possibility of removal.

Step 6: Pre-Grooming

We will now use our mechanical groomer to loosen embedded soils from the fibers and work pre-spray into the pile. Soils will then be more readily available for extraction.

Step 7: Extraction & Rinsing

Our top of the line, truck mounted hot water extraction equipment is then employed to flush the carpet pile and remove cleaning solutions, soils, and contaminates without over-wetting the carpet. Precise control of pressures and temperatures ensures adequate flushing of fibers so that no residue is left behind, which can cause premature re-soiling and unfavorable texture changes.

Step 8: Neutralizer

The proper pH balance of your carpet plays an integral role in ensuring that no sticky residue is left behind. Your carpet will not only be clean… it will be soft, fresh, and healthy as well!

Step 9: Post-Spot Treatment

At this point in the process, your tech will have identified any remaining stubborn stains. He will use specialty spotters in an attempt to either remove them or make permanent stains less visible. The reality?… Some stains are permanent. If they can be removed, J&S is your best bet!

Step 10: Post-Groom

This step involves hand grooming with specialty groomers to leave the carpet fibers standing upright. It is done both for the visual appeal and to provide for quicker drying.

Step 11: Speed Dry

As each area is groomed, high velocity air movers will be placed to kick-start the drying process. As the surface of the fibers are dried, moisture from below is wicked to the surface.

Step 12: Post-Cleaning Inspection

The final step in our process involves checking to ensure that you are satisfied with the results, that we have not missed anything, that we leave your property in better condition than we found it, and to provide tips regarding safety and after cleaning care of your carpet.