• Is it a natural or synthetic fiber rug?
• Is it woven/knotted, or is it tufted?

Most higher value rugs are made with natural fibers, with wool being the most common fiber.  Generally speaking, less expensive rugs are made with olefin (polypropylene), nylon, or other synthetic fibers.  Wool is usually “the” fiber of choice for a rug, since it is environmentally sound (renewable), easy to dye, naturally flame retardant, and wears well.  Synthetic rugs may be a good choice due to budgetary restrictions or if you have pets that are prone to having “accidents” on your rug!

Unfortunately, many consumers select a rug based only on the color or size and pattern of the rug.  One major consideration to keep in mind is the actual construction of the rug, the part you can’t readily see while looking at its face.  Is the rug machine woven, hand knotted, or tufted?

Obviously, a rug that is hand-knotted is almost always of higher value than a similar rug that is machine woven or tufted.  If you look at a rug on its underside, you will see a major difference between a knotted/woven rug versus one that is tufted.  With a woven or knotted rug (machine or hand made), you will be able to see the pattern of the rug on the back of the rug, and its foundation yarns.  With a rug that is tufted, you will usually see the back of the rug covered with a cotton or burlap looking material.  This covering hides the latex that is helping to hold the rug together and give it some dimensional stability.

The problem with tufted rugs is that the latex can degrade over time, leaving a gritty dust under the rug.  In addition, pet odors are very difficult to deal with on a tufted rug, creating greater risk for the cleaner.  In view of these limitations, at Pinnacle Cleaning, we highly recommend to our clients that they purchase hand knotted or machine woven rugs, which can last for decades.  These types of rugs are usually able to be fully immersion washed, which is very effective for dealing with pet odors in your rugs.

If you live in the Rochester area, please feel free to give us a call!  We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about selecting oriental and area rugs and their care and cleaning.

ResponsibleCare products:

Are derived from renewable seed and vegetable sources;

Contain no perfumes;

Contain no hazardous VOCs, solvents, or other hazardous products;

Do not contain phosphates;

Are biodegradable;

Are environmentally safe!

For more information on cleaning your carpeting with our allergy relief treatments in the Rochester area, please call Pinnacle Cleaning today! (585) 334-1990

Why SEBO?  Take a look at their flagship model, the Automatic X4.  This unit is loaded with many impressive features, including a detachable hose for corners and edges.  On-board attachments such as crevice tools and an upholstery tool are also conveniently located.  The vacuum comes with hospital grade S-class filtration, and HEPA filtration is also available.  An interesting feature is the automatic height adjustment, which enables you to go from a hardwood floor straight to your carpeting without stopping to make manual adjustments.  In addition, their vacuum belt is guaranteed for life!

If you live in the Rochester, NY area, please contact us at (585)334-1990.  We will stop by and drop off a demonstrator unit for you to try for free for a few days to see for yourself the outstanding quality of these world-class machines.  Or, you may order directly from our internet store at www.sebo.us/pinnacle.

Reputation. A quality cleaner should always have a good reputation. Ask around to see which cleaner your friends, family and neighbors recommend, as well as who they don’t. Sometimes a negative review can speak volumes more than a positive one.

Guarantee. Be sure to select a cleaner who offers a guarantee. Any quality cleaner should be confident enough in his service to offer customers a guarantee of quality service and care. If not, be sure to ask why.

The best way to choose a cleaner is to do a little research. Select a business you feel you can trust, because at the end of the day, you have to feel comfortable with the cleaner you allow into your home.

Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:

1. For spills on your carpet or rug, always remember the ABC’s:

• Act quickly to remove large particles of food or other matter as soon as possible.
• Blot wet spills repeatedly with a white cloth or paper towel to absorb liquid.
• Clean from the outside in (toward the center of the spot or stain) to avoid spreading.

2. Have your carpets professionally cleaned each year.

Annual or semi-annual care is highly recommended for most carpets. At Pinnacle, we recommend a protective finish (Teflon®, for example) for most surfaces as well, to ensure protection against future damage, including stains, pet odors and more.

3. Never use general cleaners on natural stone or tile.

Many general cleaners include ingredients (both natural and synthetic) that can be extremely harmful to your natural stone or tile . Over time, you may experience discoloration, dulling of the polish or even scratches.