Carpets are one of the most important design elements that we have in our homes. In fact, carpets and floor elements can make or break the look the whole room. The choice between carpet, tile, or wood floors says a lot about the home, room, or homeowner. When choosing carpet as your floor covering there are many things you should consider. Carpets usually look their best especially when they are kept clean and fresh to maintain the original look you intended for the room or entire home.
Dirty Carpet
We all know how carpets attract dirt, dust, and sometimes pests. Once a carpet looks very dirty, this can now destroy the look of the whole room. “Dirty” can very easily become permanently stained and after that point it is very difficult to recover the life of a carpet that may have lasted much longer with a proper cleaning regimen. Whether you do this on your own or you hire cleaning services to do so, you need to make sure that your carpets look as clean as they should.
One piece of equipment that has really made carpet cleaning an easier job for the home owner is a vacuum cleaner. These essential tools are used to remove dirt particles and dust which are trapped within the fibers of the carpet. Regular use of a quality vacuum is part of every home cleaning routine but sometimes even the best vacuum cleaners need some help.
Properly cleaning carpet in a home or office involves several steps to complete the job correctly to maintain the value and look of all of your carpets. Without following these steps, or hiring a professional carpet cleaning company to do them for you means that you are just risking the worsening of the condition of your carpets.
The first step of carpet cleaning involves the pretreatment of your carpet. This may seem to be an unnecessary carpet cleaning step, but in reality, this is the most important cleaning step. This prepares and conditions your carpet so that it will be cleaned easily. What is done in this step is that the carpet is spayed or sprinkled with a particular solution that help in cleaning of the carpet. It basically lets the solid particles, soils, dirt and dust which are trapped inside the carpets to resurface and lift up. This will now make it easier for the particles to be cleaned.
Professional Cleaning
The next step is the actual cleaning process itself. The removal of the resurfaced dirt will be done here. As mentioned, there are different ways of cleaning the carpets but just so you know, there are just three major cleaning procedures done when it comes to carpet cleaning. Carpet cleaning could involve hot water extraction, dry extraction and cold water extraction. These methods usually work for a certain types of carpet cleaning jobs. Your professional carpet cleaning company will know, based on the type of carpet that you have and the condition of the soiling, which method of cleaning is appropriate for your particular job. Just getting a steam cleaner from the local tool rental store is not always the best proceedure for your particular carpet.
The last step involves neutralizing the carpet leaving it as presentable as possible. The cleaning step will leave no dirt behind but now the cleaning residue must be now removed. Carpet cleaning involves using different products and these products usually leave some residuals in the carpet. Not removing these residuals can actually do more damage and even leave the carpets looking dirtier. This is why this last step should never be neglected and always be done to ensure that the carpet is left clean as possible, without leaving behind any residue. The last step even makes the carpet feel as soft and looking new.
Whether you want your carpets cleaned by professionals or by yourself, you should be knowledgeable when it comes to carpet cleaning.
Arming yourself with a little knowledge can go a long way towards keeping your home clean and well cared for. Ask questions, be involved and be sure to maintain your carpets and flooring so that it will last as long as you live in your home, or until you want to change your look, At American Dream Carpet Cleaning we are always happy to share with our customers the do’s and dont’s of carpet and floor maintenance. With 30 years of service to the Pinellas County area, we are proud to help answer any questions you may have.
Congratulations! You are the proud owner of a recently purchased home. 
The rooms are spacious, the appliances are brand new, landscaping is stunning – it is truly an oasis that you can call “home”. The only hiccup is the tortured carpets. It looks like a ‘Friday Night Tractor Pull’ was performed in the living room; and the traffic lanes look like scars that didn’t fully heal. The carpets are severely dirty and abused. Should they be professionally deep cleaned or replaced? Thankfully, American Dream Carpet Cleaning in Pinellas County, Florida can help by offering some suggestions on what can be done.
Professional Cleaning
Generally speaking, having carpets professionally cleaned is less expensive that replacing the carpet. But no homeowner wants to spend hard earned money on a professional cleaning, not get the desired results, and resort to replacement anyway – paying for both!
The first thing to do is get an in-home inspection and written estimate from a professional.
They can inform you about:
- Types of cleaning techniques and the results to expect;
- The level of cleanliness and appearance that can be achieved;
- Whether or not the damage is irreversible.
American Dream Carpet Cleaning in Pinellas County, Florida recommends using a professional that is recognized as a Seal of Approval service provider; that way you’ll know your carpets are being professionally cleaned with quality products and equipment that will help maintain your carpet’s life and beauty. Don’t be afraid to ask questions: How long have they been in business? What formal training have they had?
Most of us would expect a doctor to say: “What You Can’t See Can Hurt You!” We’ve even heard it from our mother as she requests us to wash our hands before dinner. But who would expect to hear it from a carpet cleaning professional?
Carpet has been unfairly blamed as a contributor to asthma, allergies, and for emitting high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Truth be told, carpet is our ally; like a filter it can “hold on” to many particles – dander, pollen, dust and other contaminants – that can cause problems. Vacuuming and periodically deep-cleaning your carpet can remove those particles before they overflow the carpet “reservoir” and enter the breathing zone.
Proper cleaning with a good quality vacuum effectively sucks up the dirt, dust, and other bio-pollutants from the carpet, locks it in the machine and keeps it out of the air. American Dream Carpet Cleaning also recommends that carpets be cleaned by a certified professional (like us) on a regular basis – every 12-18 months.
What about mold and fungi? Since most carpet manufacturers use synthetic fibers in the construction of carpet, it is nearly impossible for mold and fungi to grow – as long as the carpet is kept dry and cleaned regularly.
VOCs in modern carpet are minimal and dissipate quickly as a result of the modern way that carpet manufacturers produce low VOC carpet fibers. LOW VOC compliant manufacturers produce 98 percent of all the carpet made in America
During and after new carpet installation in a home, American Dream Carpet Cleaning recommends extra ventilation; within 48 to 72 hours virtually all VOCS will have dissipated. Also, ask that the installer follow carpet industry installation guidelines.
Since most people spend up to 90% of their time indoors, it makes sense to follow a good carpet maintenance program. By doing so, we maximize the benefits of carpet – comfort, acoustics, safety, visual variety and appeal – minimize the health-related concerns of bio-pollutant build up, and help ensure our home environment is safe, healthy and welcoming for friends and family.
If it is known that the carpet is still under warranty or you have questions concerning the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning method, be sure to contact the manufacturer directly.
Replacement
To select the best carpet for your home and lifestyle, several things should be considered:
- Carpet and Rug Construction – Understanding a few basics about carpet construction can help you make the right choices for your lifestyle and budget.
- Color – Are you looking for an atmosphere that’s vibrant, spacious, calming, or cozy? Do you want it to reflect your style? Carpet is the foundation of a room’s décor and sets the “feel” of the room.
- Quality and Performance Requirements – The type of fiber used and the way the carpet is constructed determines the basic performance and durability of the carpet.
- Selecting the Right Cushion – adds comfort and acts as a shock absorber when walked on. Poor cushion choice can cause wrinkling and buckling.
- Insulation – guards against extreme heat or cold – an important benefit in our energy-conscious world.
- Low VOC carpet for Indoor Air Quality – With allergies and chemical sensitivity becoming more of a challenge in the home, choosing “Green” carpet, carpet backing, cushions, and adhesives that emit low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) will improve the indoor air quality.
- Special Considerations – choosing carpet for high traffic areas, aging individuals, pets, heated floors, and outdoor carpeting should be considered too.
No matter what a homeowner chooses – deep clean or replacement – either way, the homeowner wins. By following American Dream Carpet Cleanings suggestions, every homeowner can enjoy carpet that adds to the appeal, appearance, and comfort of their home.
A Truck mounted carpet cleaner is a carpet and upholstery cleaning unit that is usually mounted to the floor of a van or trailer. Its cleaning method is hot water extraction. The operator at American Dream Carpet Cleaning will park the truck near the premises of the home or office and connect the vacuum hose and solution line hose into the machine, bring the hoses into the building and connect a carpet cleaning wand to the end of the hoses. Many of the other pieces of portable equipment used in Carpet and floor or Upholstery Cleaning is also carried on our fleet of Modern and clean trucks.
Benefits to the client
Typical small machines start off at 16 horse power and range up to 60 horse power Van powered P.T.O. units, the power this provides offers the very best extraction possible.
Truck Mounted units heat their water by one of two methods:
Heat Exchanger: This heating method uses heat naturally generated by the normal operation of the engine and in some cases, vacuum pump components of the system. Typically, water is routed through a “heat exchanger”, which consists of two separate sections. In one section, the heat is routed. In the second section, the water passes through. The two sections share two sides of common surfaces inside the exchanger and therefore heat is transferred from the “heat side” section with higher temperature to the “solution side” section with lower temperature.
Fossil Fuel: This heating method uses a separate water heater that uses either propane or heating oil as the fuel source to generate heat. This type of unit is usually less expensive to purchase but ultimately more expensive due to the weekly cost of a secondary fuel.
Traditionally, Truck mounted carpet cleaning machines have been more powerful than portable carpet cleaning units. Recent changes in technology have allowed portable manufacturers to approach the previously unsurpassed power of a truck mounted carpet cleaning machines. The quick setup and relatively easy use of the truck mount makes it the preferred method of carpet and tile cleaning among most professional cleaners. Regrettably the cost, usually between $10,000.00 to $35,000.00 US, makes it cost prohibitive for many professionals. Currently it is estimated that only 28% of professional carpet cleaners use Truck Mounted Carpet Cleaning Machines. American Dream Carpet Cleaning uses Truck Mounted Machines in Pinellas County.
Main components of the machine
A gasoline or diesel engine powers a high pressure pump and vacuum blower by direct drive. The engine will generally have a starter motor fitted alone with a pull starter and an alternator that charges the battery and supplies 12 volt DC current to all the electrical components. An on demand electrical fuel pump is bolted to the fuel tank or the machine and supplies the carburetor or injectors on the engine with a fuel tank that is normally fitted to the chase of the van to supply the fuel pump. The vacuum blower lifts the dirty water from the carpet and pumps it back to a storage tank on the truck where it is later disposed of in and environmentally proper way. The high pressure water pump pumps heated water and chemical onto the carpet Heat exchanges or a water heater are fitted to the machine that heat the water up through the exhaust manifold system Or as opposed to a heat exchange some machines have a thermostat controlled boiler that runs on LPG.
A chemical injection system is in place that injects carpet cleaning chemical into the solution line ever on the low pressure or high pressure side depending upon the model of the machine. Most machines have a mixer tank/water box which is a holding tank that store water for the high pressure pump on demand. Some machines have a magnetic water softener fitted to prevent build up of minerals to protect the pluming components Some systems in America fit a de-ionizer to the plumbing to purify the water to protect the plumbing components and to give greater cleaning effect. A waste tank is fitted to the floor of the van that holds dirty water picked up by the suction hose powered by the vacuum blower Vacuum hoses connect to the carpet cleaning wand that delivers the dirty water to the waste tank and a solution hose that pumps high pressure water and chemical from the high pressure system to the carpet cleaning wand.
Accessories for the machine
Cleaning tools connect to the vacuum and solution hose. Cleaning attachments such as upholstery tools for upholstery cleaning, and power heads and rotary tools for carpet can also be used to further increase productivity and enhanced results on certain carpet types and soil conditions. The attachments to the machine are also an important factor in delivering the right amount of solution and also the extraction of the solution. A well equipped operator will often have a large percentage of the cost of the machine invested in accessories, in order to achieve optimum results. Some of the attachments and a video of one can be seen at
A hose reel can be bolted to the floor of the van for storing the vacuum and solution hoses on. Recently, electric rewind hose reels have been introduced to allow for quicker storage of the hoses.
A main water tank is often fitted to the floor of the van that holds fresh water that supplies water directly to the high pressure pump or the mixer tank. When such a water tank is installed, an on demand supply pump is bolted to the main water tank supplies water to the mixer tank or high pressure pump.
Why is all of this information important to the consumer?
Carpet cleaning professionals like American Dream Carpet Cleaning show a high level of investment in the technology and equipment we use to clean your carpet and flooring surfaces. We are dedicated to bring the very best equipment and therefore service to your door. The quality of our equipment brings to you the confidence of knowing that our professional staff of technicians has the training and experience to use this equipment with the utmost of care. We have been cleaning carpets and flooring in the Tampa Bay and Pinellas County area for many years and we think that our services is the very best and most reliable in the area.
Please call us today to get a no obligation quote or to simply ask about the carpet and flooring cleaning and refinishing services we offer.
Dry encapsulation carpet cleaning
American Dream Carpet Cleaning began in 1981 offering steam carpet cleaning in Pinellas County. We chose not to offer dry cleaning process because we didn’t approve of the methods available in the industry. That was true until now.
In the 1990s, new polymers began literally encapsulating (crystallizing) soil particles into dry residues on contact, in a process now regarded by the industry as a growing, up-and-coming technology. Working like “tiny sponges”, the deep-cleaning compound crystals dissolve and absorb dirt prior to its removal from carpet. Cleaning solution is applied with our Prochem Dry Encapsulation cleaning system. This unique brush system uses counter-rotating brushes to effectively clean and agitate both sides of the carpet nap. After drying the residue is then vacuumed from the carpet. Dry encapsulation avoids the drying time of steam carpet cleaning, making the carpet immediately available for use.
This method of carpet cleaning is becoming more and more popular in commercial carpet maintenance because it allows for much less down time. It should be used as an interim maintenance method and should be followed periodically (every 3-4 cleanings) by a thorough hot water extraction. Dry encapsulation carpet cleaning is becoming more popular in residential cleaning for condos in high rise buildings and mobile homes. The need for periodic hot water extraction applies here as well.
American Dream Carpet Cleaning utilizes the finest dry cleaning agents and the newest, most innovative dry carpet cleaning equipment in Pinellas County, Florida. Let the professionals at American Dream demonstrate for you this innovative, highly effective cleaning process. The finished product will pleasantly surprise you.
Truck mount steam cleaning
Your home is most likely the largest single investment in your life and your carpet is a major part of that investment. It makes your home feel cozy and inviting. When carefully and correctly maintained, good carpet should give you years of service and enjoyment. Most carpet manufacturers recommend that carpet be cleaned every 12 to 18 months. When your carpet is not clean, the rest of your home can feel and appear untidy also. Maybe you don’t want to let the baby or toddler down on the floor, or your new puppy has left you surprises on your carpet.
Let the experts at American Dream Carpet Cleaning take care of it for you. We offer premium quality steam cleaning that cleans and extracts even deep soil and dries within a few hours. Our truck mounted carpet cleaning method extracts most of the excess water allowing carpet to dry in just a few hours. Your carpet looks and feels clean and is once again a source of pride and enjoyment.
