Carpet Cleaning

Clean carpets are visually pleasing, longer-lasting, and healthier.

Tus Group has been providing residential and commercial carpet cleaning services for over 25 years.

We remove stains, dirt, grit, sand, and allergens (dust mites). We clean carpets with plush and berber pile and variety of pile fiber: Nylon, Olefin (Polypropylene), Polyester, Wool, Sisal, Seagrass, Grass, Haitian Cotton, Silk, Rayon, and Chintz.

We are certified by the leading organizations in the industry.

We provide thorough cleaning. We are experienced in four carpet cleaning methods approved by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC):

• Hot water extraction (we use a truck-mounted machine)
• Absorbent pad (also known as bonnet cleaning) (we use a circular buffer)
• Dry compound (or dry powder) (we use a commercial vacuum with a HEPA filter)
• Shampoo or Dry foam (we use a motor circular brush)

Depending on the condition of your carpet, our technicians will determine the most appropriate cleaning method (or a combination of them) during a FREE consultation.

We offer a 12-step cleaning program that provides maximum soil removal and maximum spot removal without over-wetting the carpet or leaving a sticky residue behind. We provide fast drying of your carpet.

We clean carpet edges and protect your furniture during carpet cleaning.

We use baby-safe "green" chemicals approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute.

We offer carpet cleaning packages that include carpet protector application and long-term carpet maintenance.

We offer a 100% money-back guarantee that your carpet will receive the most thorough cleaning.

We aim to give your family the best carpet cleaning experience possible.

Warning

One major tenet of our service pledge is: "In keeping with our belief that all transactions between company and client should be fair and honest, we hereby pledge to avoid any misleading advertising or misinterpretation of our services." So, whether or not you ultimately decide to use our services, we want to help you out any way we can, including steering you away from potential carpet cleaning ripoffs and misadvertisements. Don't use a carpet cleaner until you read these articles!

Our 12 Step Carpet Cleaning Program

• 

  Step 1: Pre-Inspection

  Every great carpet cleaning experience starts with a proper pre-inspection. Our service technician will inspect your particular areas of concern as well as noting carpet construction and soiling conditions. He will also advise you of any possible permanent staining.

• 

  Step 2: Vacuuming

  Dry soil is removed with a commercial vacuum with a HEPA filter. Removing dry soil is one of the most important steps in cleaning. If you choose a budget carpet cleaning package, then you vacuum.

• 

  Step 3: Furniture Moving

  We move all lightweight furniture. Items such as a fish tank, waterbeds, china cabinets, entertainment centers, computers, pianos, hutches, or delicate and fragile furniture are considered to be exceptions. Furniture will be protected with disposable blocks and tabs. If you choose a budget or value carpet cleaning package, then you move furniture, or we clean around the furniture.

• 

  Step 4: Spraying and Pre-Spotting

  Traffic areas and spots are pretreated for more effective soil and spot removal.

• 

  Step 5: Pre-Grooming

  The carpet is pre-groomed with a carpet groomer or rotary cleaning machine (depending on soil level) to further loosen traffic area soil.

• 

  Step 6: Hot Water Extraction and Rinse

  Once the soil has been loosened, hot water extraction process is used to thoroughly flush the carpet pile. To do so, we use our truck mounted machine. Pressure and heat are regulated so that carpet is not over-wet.

  Step 7: Neutralization

  Every carpet that we clean is pH balanced so that there is no sticky residue left behind. This treatment is used as a rinse or applied after the rinse depending on soiling condition.

  
  
• 

  Step 8: Post-Spotting

  If any spots are not removed during the cleaning process, specialty spotting techniques are employed. Note: Permanent stains identified by our service technician may not be removed.

• 

  Step 9: Dry Bonnet Cleaning (optional)

  Some carpets benefit from a dry bonnet process. Dry bonnet assists in faster drying and prevents wicking on some carpets.

• 

  Step 10: Speed Dry Carpet Cleaning with New One Hour Drying Time Possible

  To give you the best cleaning ever, we now have a new rotary "DriMaster" power tool that leaves your carpet 6 times drier than the same carpet cleaning with a scrub wand. Your carpet will be cleaned and dried within 1-3 hours.

• 

  Step 10: Speed Dry Carpet Cleaning with New One Hour Drying Time Possible

  Also, the new F6 "whole room dryer" we use is the most versatile air mover. Its 6-bladed downdraft drying will dry an entire room in as little as 15 minutes.

• 

  Step 11: Post-Grooming (optional)

  The carpet pile is set in one direction for faster drying and visual appeal.

  Step 12: Post-Inspection

  Please walk through your home or business to inspect our work. Let us know that you are pleased by signing our service receipt.

Choose a Carpet Cleaning Package

We have 3 carpet cleaning packages:

• Budget package - basic, but thorough cleaning.

• Value package - the best value for your money.

• Premium package - the healthiest way to care for your living environment and preserve your carpet.

Carpet cleaning methods that we will use depend on the condition of your carpet and will be determined and explained to you during a FREE estimate.

	Budget	Value	Premium
Pre-Inspection
Furniture Moving
Vacuuming
Spraying and Pre-Spotting
Pre-Grooming (Optional)
Hot Water Extraction and Rinse
Edge Cleaning
Neutralization
Post-Spotting
Dry Bonnet Cleaning (Optional)
Speed Drying
Post-Grooming (Optional)
Protector Application
Deodorizer Application (Optional)
Post-Inspection
FREE Newsletter Subscription
FREE Carpet Spot Remover
FREE Carpet Spot Remover Unlimited Refill
FREE Shoe Covers Learn more
FREE 1 Spot Cleaning Learn more
FREE 3 Spot Cleanings Learn more

What to Do Before We Arrive

Thank you for trusting us with your carpet cleaning. We promise you the best possible job with minimum inconvenience to your family. In order to make your carpet cleaning experience go as smoothly as possible, we ask that you attend to the following preparations before we arrive for the job.

• Please place the bottom of your full-length draperies through a hanger and hang them on the window sill or drapery rod. This will protect your draperies from water circling and allow our technicians to clean all the way to the wall without touching them.

• Please pin up upholstered furniture skirts and bed skirts that could come in contact with damp carpeting.

• Clear away any breakable items (lamps, figurines, decorative items), electronics, hutches, or small desks that may break. Insurance regulations do not allow our technicians to move furniture with breakables present. If you select the premium or value cleaning package, we will gladly move lightweight furniture (dining room chairs, ottomans, magazine racks, etc.) for you.

• If you have antique furniture or other items that require special handling or attention when we clean your carpet, please let us know. An extra fee applies to heavy furniture such as bed, china cabinets, dressers, fish tank, TV and computer etc. (Unless completely emptied and separated).

• Please save us a parking space near your door.

• Please use caution around the hoses we bring in; tripping and slipping may be a hazard.

• Please show our technicians any spots or stains that may require special attention, and identify the stain's source when possible. Tell us your every concern.

• Place any family pets or animals outside or in an area of the house that is not being cleaned when we arrive. This will ensure that your pets will not be frightened by our carpet cleaning equipment (we don't bite!) or accidentally leave the house when we come in and out of the home with equipment. Moreover, it will allow your carpet to dry undisturbed.

• To speed the drying of your carpet please follow these climate control guidelines: in the summer set air conditioner at 75°F or cooler, in the winter set heat at 68°F. In all seasons circulate air around cleaned carpet with ceiling and box fans.

Thank you for helping us serve you better. We want you to be completely satisfied with our work in every respect. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to get in touch with us.

48 hours cancellation policy

We know your time is valuable. If we are late, we will call ahead to let you know. We ask that you do the same for us. If you must cancel or reschedule, please let us know within 48 hours.

Please note that the estimate price given on the phone is what its name says it is an estimate. We will measure your area and give you an exact price base on the cleaning package you chose before we begin.

What to Do After We Leave

Congratulations! We hope you enjoy your fresh, just-cleaned carpet and all its benefits. After we leave, please:

• Please minimize traffic on the just-cleaned carpet for 24 hours; full-time use may resume after 1 day. If you must walk on it, please remember to wear your booties!

• Be careful walking from wet carpet to hard surfaces. Floors can be slippery due to moisture.

• For their safety and health, please keep pets and children off of carpet for at least 6 hours.

• Do not remove plastic tabs or blocks until the carpet is completely dry; this will prevent rust and wood stains from transferring to your carpet.

• Typical drying time is usually 1-3 hours. However, carpet drying time can vary due to the density of your carpet, humidity, and the degree of soil and may take up to 24 hours! This is especially true with berber carpeting. If carpet protection was applied, drying time may be lengthened.

• To accelerate drying, ventilate the areas as much as possible and increase air circulation by using fans or fans in your house system.

• Vacuum carpet anytime after the first 24 hours.

Thank you for trusting Tus Group!

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon can I walk on carpet that has just been cleaned?

The average drying time utilizing our state-of-the-art method is approximately 1-3 hours. Please keep in mind that many factors play a role here - humidity, fiber type, and degree of treatment involved in the cleaning process. We recommend you stay off any damp carpet while drying. If you must walk on freshly cleaned carpet, please do not wear shoes - white socks are recommended. Wait 24 hours before removing Styrofoam blocks and foil tabs that are put in place to protect the furniture and carpet. You may (depending on installation) notice some waves in the carpet immediately after cleaning. This condition is known as "buckling" and will correct itself as the carpet dries.

How often should I have my carpets/upholstery professionally cleaned?

Carpet cleaning frequency will depend on the usage of the particular room or piece of furniture. Carpets are a lot like automobile tires - some wear out faster than others, depending on how they are used and cared for. Today, while soil removal and appearance are still a primary concern, cleaning for health is also a major factor. Carpets are like sinks - the soil and bacteria levels continue to rise until drained (cleaned). We recommend either quarterly or semi-annual cleaning for more heavily used rooms and areas such as family rooms, stairs, and halls. Yearly cleaning is normally satisfactory for less frequently used rooms such as bedrooms and spare rooms.

After you clean my carpets, will they resoil more quickly?

With our state-of-the-art extraction systems, we completely rinse out all remaining residue, either from household "do-it-yourself" cleaning agents or detergents left behind by companies using outdated methods, such as shampooing. We suggest you have your fine carpet and furniture treated with our protector. This will not only insure that they stay clean longer, but will also allow you to clean up any future spills with less effort.

Can you guarantee that you will remove all of my stains?

We at The Tu's Group Inc. guarantee you, our valued client, the most thorough and professional job available. Our state-of-the-art equipment, coupled with our extensive training, will still not be able to remove certain "stains". Depending on the nature of the spill, some stains may indeed be permanent. We will conduct a pre-cleaning inspection with you and evaluate existing conditions at that time.

How can I best care for my carpets/upholstery between cleanings?

Regular vacuuming and quick spot and spill treatment can keep your carpets and furniture looking their best between professional cleanings. We encourage our valued clients to call us before attempting to remove a questionable stain ((703) 481-1261). We will be more than happy to offer our assistance over the phone.

Do you move the furniture before a job?

Furniture moving is based on the cleaning package you choose. Items such as fish tanks, waterbeds, china cabinets, entertainment centers, computers, pianos, or delicate and fragile furniture are considered exceptions. Furniture will be protected by disposable blocks and tabs.

Can you clean carpet or rugs over hardwood floors?

Yes, we have our system set up where the backing of the carpet or rug is not saturated, therefore no problem with wood floors underneath. No problem with edges either, our rinse does not affect hardwood floors. Oriental rugs and all woven rugs should be cleaned in-plant.

Do you clean berber?

Absolutely, Berber is a weave, not a particular type of fiber. Berber is simply a type of loop construction that my come in olefin, nylon, wool or a blend. Berber requires a more thorough cleaning than other carpets because the "flushing" action needs to take place to get under, around and through the loops. Other companies that are not as thorough as we are have a lot of problems with Berber because they leave soil behind that "wicks" back to the service.

Sisal, Seagrass, Grass?

Yes, dry-clean only, unless last resort spot cleaning. Spot cleaning and extraction can cause discoloration or water rings on sisal.

Wool?

Yes, we have special products that we use for wool. We use lower pressure, lower temperature and take special drying precautions for cleaning wool.

What about specialty fabrics, such as Haitian Cotton?

Yes, we have special Haitian cotton cleaner, or we can dry-clean it. Case by case.

Silk, Rayon, Chintz?

Yes.

Client Testimonials

• ~Stan Kaszuba, Herndon, VA

• ~James Barrett, Reston, VA

• ~Weber Thomas, Herndon, VA

• ~Gregg Caldwell, Chantilly, VA

• "It's been about a week since you cleaned our family room carpet, and I want you to know that we're very happy with it! We are completely satisfied. I especially appreciate the extra time that you took to explain the process to me as well as the fact that you didn't mind coming to clean only one room!

  I've mentioned you and the great work that you did to a number of friends and neighbors... a couple even came to "walk on it" with bare feet... I hope that when they need their carpets cleaned that they will call you. Again. Thank you for the great job!"

  ~Lynn K Falk, Clifton, VA

• "Called Tu's group after receiving a flyer. Very responsive, came and did an estimate the next day. Owner (Peter) and his wife (Ruby) came in person and did a thorough walk-thru in order to do the estimate. Afterwards explained in great detail about their different service levels, warranties. Had carpet samples in car and the different qualities and pros/cons were explained also in great detail. Agreed on price (seemed reasonable but have nothing to compare to) and date. On the appointed day they came at the agreed time and spent the whole day on the job, more than I had expected. This was not just some cheap carpet cleaner they had rented at the local giant, the machines were sophisticated and they brought dryers etc. continue...

  ~Thomas Smitt, Vienna, VA

• "We have used The Tu's Group in the past and have always been pleased.. This time we had just purchased a fixer upper. We contacted The Tu's Group to clean the carpet. The best we hoped for was to get the smoke and dog dander out. We did not think dirt stains that bad could come out... nor the marker/paint, we just wanted "clean dirt". We also needed the carpet stretched as the lumps were big enough to trip people. Our best hope was to just get it clean enough to live with until we could build up the money to replace it. It took 2 days, but when The Tu's Group was done, the carpet looked great! The dirt marks I was sure would never come out were gone. The marker/paint was gone. It was almost like new! Mr. Tu was concerned about spots I could barely see! We were so thankful to The Tu's Group. We no longer feel the carpet is near the top of the list of thing that need to be replaced. One of the kids said, "I didn't know the basement carpet was green! I thought it was brown.""

  ~Nadyne Deary, Bristow, VA

• "The Tu's Group is great. They are honest and do a great, thorough job. We have had them replace carpets, clean carpets, and refinish hardwood floors. They are always reasonably priced (actually cheap) and Peter is always honest and hard working. We ask his advice whether to clean or replace carpets and he will give us the honest answer rather than the more expensive one. We have referred them to many of our friends and they have used them multiple times and referred them to their friends. Highly recommend them!!!!"

  ~Ian and Ethel Chun, Reston, VA

• "We know Ruby and Peter Tu and have used their services many times. Peter is the consummate professional; he treats carpet cleaning like a science and is the most knowledgeable cleaner I have ever met. You will be thrilled with their services. We have a large home in Oak Hill and have never been disappointed with their work, quite the contrary. Peter has come through for us on many occasions, cleaning before (or after!) parties and advising us on new carpeting purchases. Choose Tu's with confidence!!"

  ~Tami

• "Married people always seem to strive for opportunities to "look good" in front of our in-laws, and I guess I'm no different! My mother-in-law lives in a rental apartment in Crystal City and was complaining about how dirty her carpets were looking. Having recently met Ruby through a cross-chapter meeting here, I was glad to refer the Tu's Group. My mother-in-law was impressed first with the thoroughness of their visit and estimate, and then again when they more than delivered on that estimate. She was delighted with the whole affair, and I was lookin' good! Many thanks, Ruby!"

  ~Ann Potocnak

• "Peter Tu is very professional. My carpets now look brand new & they are 16 years old!"

  ~Dr. Joan Gotthardt, Herndon, VA

• "I was extremely pleased with the work completed by the Tu's Group. Two years ago, they cleaned my living room furniture that was badly stained by a dog. When they were finished, the furniture looked brand new. Just recently they cleaned my carpets and did a wonderful job. Mr. Tu was able to remove black shoe polish stains that were at least 4 years on the carpet. The Tu's Group is highly professional and their work is extremely high quality."

  ~Andrea Tassan, Herndon, VA

• "We used Peter Tu at a rental property (for water damage restoration) and we were so impressed we had him get our new home ready for us. We felt so comfortable we even gave him a key and he did the work (air duct cleaning and carpet cleaning) while we had a peaceful, restful vacation."

  ~Katy Slater, Reston, VA

• 

  "The Tu's Group was really efficient in coming to my house for carpet cleaning. They were very throrough in taking care of all the details. The cleaning specialists were all very friendly and attentive."

  ~Elaine Lin, Admissions Consultant, Herndon, VA

• 

  "I'm extremely pleased with the quality of the carpet care you've taken for us. It's beyond anything I've ever seen anywhere. The quality of your care from protecting the furniture to how your hoses are laid in the property, to coming back and asking us to check if there is anything that you missed, being able to take a lot of dark line around the carpet, I've not seen this approach before, it is by far the best carpet cleaning experience I've ever seen."

  ~Stan Kaszuba, Herndon, VA

• "Dear Sirs, I want to take the opportunity to thank you for your superior service. I had the opportunity to use the services of the Tu's Group this month. The two employees that came out to my home were professional, courteous and very efficient. They were careful not to track dirt into my home; they cleaned up after themselves and replaced any furniture that needed moving. They were hard diligent workers. They took the time to explain the process of what they were doing and the results. I found them to be honest and fairly priced. I would not hesitate to recommend them to my family and friends. Thank you for your wonderful customer service. "

  ~Mrs. Hundertmark, VA

Photos

• 

  Step 1. Pre-Inspection

• 

  Step 2. Commercial Pre-Vacuuming

• 

  Step 3. Furniture Moving

• 

  Step 4. Pre-Spraying and Pre-Spotting

• 

  Step 4. Pre-Spraying and Pre-Spotting

• 

  Step 6. Extraction and Rinse

• 

  Step 8. Post-Spotting

• 

  Step 9. Dry Bonnet Cleaning

• 

  Step 10. Speed Dry Carpet Cleaning with DriMaster

• 

  Step 10. Speed Drying with Air Mover

• 

  Step 11. Post-Grooming

Certification

Your home deserves the best care it can get, and you can rest assured that it will with Tus Group Our specialists are carefully trained and certified by the best organizations in the industry. The following are certifications obtained by Tus Group Owner and President, Peter Tu.

• Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC, The CleanTrust)
• Certified Firm
• Carpet Cleaning
• Unsmoke System and Procedures
• Odor Removal, Decontamination, and Disinfection
• Host School
• Modern Carpet Maintenance
• DuPont Masterseries Carpet Care System

Our Service Areas

Tus Group provides carpet cleaning services in the following areas: Northern Virginia, Loudoun County VA, Prince William County VA, Fairfax County VA, Arlington County VA, Sterling VA, Ashburn VA, Vienna VA, Great Falls VA, McLean VA, Reston VA, Herndon VA, Fairfax VA.

Sisal Carpeting

Jute, Sisal, Seagrass, COIR, Hemp are names associated with floor coverings made from raw plant material. Ranging from mats to wall to wall, some with backings, some not, this type of material is in a very raw state. Therefore, an understanding of how they react to every day soiling and how they respond to cleaning is very helpful.

One of the unique characteristics of this type of floor covering material is the tendency to develop mysterious dark spots when cleaned, regardless of the method used. Generally bringing a "worn" Sisal back to it's original state is a lost cause. Also, Sisal stains very easily. One of the best things to do is have it protected with a solvent based fabric protector to resist against water spots that result from any type of spillage. In addition to developing dark spots, Sisal may also "lighten" when cleaned. The best way to clean plant material is with a low moisture approach. The bottom line is that these products are not very spillage, traffic or cleaning friendly. However, you can't beat the look.

Place this type of floor covering in a non-traffic, non-spillage area to prevent over use. Have a light, maintenance cleaning done about once a year to remove surface soils, pollen, asphalt, exhaust and other foreign matter that finds its way into our homes.

A final note about Sisal is that some wool carpets come in a "Sisal style." These products are made to look like sisal, but are actually an entirely different material.

Due to the natural characteristics of these types of materials our company requires a written consent before proceeding with cleaning.

Filtration Soiling

• 

If you have light colored carpet, you may have experienced dark areas around baseboards, under doors, and especially near the HVAC return. This soiling comes from air passing through the carpet as it is attempting to go through the edge of the carpet pile because microscopic particles of soil are deposited there (hence the term filtration soiling). This occurs over a significant period of time and is not noticed until a build up has occurred.

This type of soiling is difficult to remove because the soil particles are so fine that they penetrate deep into the carpet pile, sometimes into the backing of the carpet. Can it be removed? Sometimes. With special products, time and effort, reasonable results can be achieved, although not in all cases.

To help prevent filtration soiling in the future, vacuum the edges of the carpeting on a regular basis, then wipe with a damp, white terry towel. Be careful around the tackstrip under the edge of the carpeting, you could nick your fingers!

Carpet Cleaning Frequency Guide

Clean your floors for the health of your home. Below is a quick glance chart for the recommended number of times you should clean your floors to keep a safe and healthy home for your family. Call us today at 703-481-1261 to arrange a FREE estimate by The Tu's Group Inc.

Environment	Normal	Contaminated Outside Dusty	Extremely Cold Weather Climates	High Humidity Biogenic
Day Care Center	2 weeks	1 week	2 weeks	1 week
Nursing Home	1 month	1 month	1 month	1 week
2 Person Residence, Nonsmoking	6-12 months	2 months	4-6 months	4-6 months
2 Person Residence, Smoking	4 months	2 months	3 months	2 months
Residence with Young Children	6 months	1 month	3 months	3 months
Residence with Young Children and Pets	3-6 months	1 month	2 months	2 months
Office Building, Ground Floor	3-6 months	1-4 months	2-6 months	2-6 months
Office Building, Higher Floors	6-12 months	2-6 months	3-9 months	3-9 months
Food Service Establishment	1 month	1 week	2 weeks	2 weeks
Commmercial (Retail, Shop, Bank)	3-6 months	1 month	2 months	2 months

Information adapted from U.S. EPA letter from Dr. Michael Berry, January 1989

How to Care for Your Carpet

When it comes to maintaining your carpet, one of the most critical areas of focus is the traffic areas. If ground in soil is not removed on a regular basis, the traffic areas will begin to wear excessively. The dirt is extremely abrasive against the fibers of the carpet as you walk back and forth on it. The second area of focus of course is spot removal. You must react to "danger" spots immediately. Red wine, red beverages, urine, blood, etc., can cause a permanent stain if not treated immediately. Stain resist warranties can vary from 5 to 25 years. All stain resist warranties require regular cleaning and immediate spot removal.

Vacuuming

Vacuum your carpet often. Once or twice a week as least. Vacuuming removes the abrasive soil that can cut and slice the fiber causing premature wear. Much of this soil is not visible to the eye. Vacuum before the carpet looks soiled. Remove any loose particles such as food, leaves, pieces of crayon, bugs, etc., as these items can cause a spot on the carpet.

Professional Cleaning

As a general rule, carpet cleaning by a professional, certified firm should take place about once per year. For extremely heavy traffic areas, cleaning may be required more often. Proper, professional cleaning will not leave a sticky residue behind and can be done as many times per year as needed. Many stain resist warranties require professional cleaning every 2 years. Professional cleaning removes the damaging soil in traffic areas that vacuuming has not been able to remove. Warning: Uninformed carpet cleaners may void your warranty.

• 

  Properly cared for carpet has a better relative appearance over time as shown in AlliedSignal Fibers "Lifecycle Maintenance Guide"

How to Remove Spots

Immediate spot removal is key to a clean carpet. Great care also must be taken in how spot cleaning is performed. When a carpet is new, or has sufficient protector on it, plain tap water will remove many spots. However, for those spots that will not come out with water, you must use a spot cleaner. Select a spot cleaner that is recommended by the carpet manufacturer or your trained, certified professional cleaner.

Most spot removers that are purchased over the counter leave too much soap residue and can cause yellowing. Avoid using foam carpet cleaners or any product that is not made specifically for carpet. If the product that you are using seems to cause the spot to resoil over a few weeks, discontinue use. Get a Spotter FREE from The Tu's Group Inc. Ask us how.

Step 1

Cover spill with white napkins or paper towels. Do not use colored paper! It might transfer onto the carpet. Be sure to use a thick stack to absorb as much of the spot as possible.

Step 2

Blot by stepping on stack of towels. Repeat this process until no transfer takes place. Do not rub!

Step 3

Apply spotting agent. Apply spot cleaner sparingly to white terry cloth and gently massage spot causing it to transfer to the cloth. Never pour spot cleaner directly on carpet.

Pet Spots: only use pet spotter on pet spots. Urine turns "alkaline" from being exposed to oxygen. Pet Spotter is designed to neutralize urine salts. Get your carpet cleaned as soon after a pet spot as possible. Even when you do a great job cleaning the spot, urine salts can still be left behind which will discolor your textile and collect odor-causing bacteria. Do not use over the counter spotters for urine. They are not designed to neutralize the urine salts.

Step 4

Repeat steps 1 - 3. If the spot does not come out, do not attempt any further action, as you may set the spot and/or damage your carpet.

Instead, call us immediately at (703) 481 - 1261. If it is after hours, keep it moist until morning by misting a little more solution or water. Leave a voice mail message and we will contact you immediately the next business day.

What's the Best Carpet Cleaning Method?

There are many misconceptions about carpet cleaning. One of them has to do with carpet cleaning methods. What is the best method? That depends. You have probably heard the terms "dry" or "steam"? These are general terms that hint at different methods, but both terms are incomplete and inaccurate terms. Neither are technical terms that properly describe carpet cleaning methods.

There are 4 methods of carpet cleaning approved by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the world's most recognized body of certification for carpet and upholstery cleaners.

Hot Water Extraction

Otherwise known as "steam cleaning" hot water extraction is the process that most are probably familiar with. Hot water extraction is the correct technical term, not steam cleaning. Actual steam is not used at all. A hot water solution is produced and immediately recovered, creating a "flushing" action on the carpet. There are many variations of hot water extraction. From the most powerful truck-mounted machine down to the small portable machine rented from the grocery store. What is the difference? Every machine has different capabilities. Mainly the pressure in which the water is produced and the recovery capability.

However, the biggest and most important difference is in the person cleaning the carpet. A trained technician will know what pressure to use, what cleaning products to use, and how to get maximum soil removal and maximum spot removal without over-wetting the carpet or leaving a sticky residue behind. The horror stories of carpet being wet for days is due to operator error, not because "steam" or "hot water extraction" caused it.

Hot water extraction done properly will remove more soil than any other method. Further, anything that has seeped into the backing such as urine, coffee, beverages or something can be "flushed out" with hot water extraction. It can also be used in lightly soiled and maintenance situations as it is very versatile.

Absorbent Pad

Also known as bonnet cleaning, this method employs a round pad that spins across the surface of the carpet, absorbing the soil. A solution is applied to the carpet or the pad to aid in releasing soils. This is a method that some may classify as "dry cleaning" although water based products are used in almost all "dry cleaning" systems, therefore the term dry cleaning (cleaning with only a solvent based cleaner) is not technical and would not be desired. Absorbent pad cleaning is not a deep cleaning method. It should only be used in lightly soiled and maintenance situations.

Dry Compound

This method uses a powder that has been treated with detergents, water, and solvents. The powder compound is sprinkled onto the carpet and a brush with cylindrical brushes is used to work the powder into the carpet pile. The solution that is in the powder releases the soil. The soil is then absorbed into the absorbent powder. This method should only be used in lightly soiled and maintenance situations.

Shampoo or Dry Foam

In this method, a shampoo or foam is generated and worked into the carpet with a rotary brush or cylindrical brush machine. The shampoo or foam releases the soil. The soil is then vacuumed with the machine or allowed to dry and removed with a conventional vacuum cleaner. This method should be used in only lightly soiled situations and maintenance cleaning. When using shampoo, great care should be taken to avoid leaving a sticky residue on the carpet.

Note: The Tu's Group Inc. is experienced in ALL methods of carpet cleaning. We offer a 12 step cleaning program that gets maximum soil removal, maximum spot removal without over-wetting the carpet or leaving a sticky residue behind. Guaranteed or your money back!

How to Avoid Four Carpet Cleaning Rip-Offs

Unbelievably Low Prices

To some degree, all of us are attracted by low prices because we want to work within a budget. But, some carpet cleaners use price as the bait for their false and misleading advertising. They offer a cheap price-usually between $3.95 and $9.95 per room-and then, once they're in your home, they pressure you into buying "add-ons." It's as if you were buying a car and found that the dealer was charging you extra for the tires and steering wheel. Carpet cleaning is not as cheap as some unethical carpet cleaners would like you to believe.

Bait and Switch

Dual process carpet cleaning describes the process of shampooing or heavy preconditioning, followed with hot water extraction cleaning. Unfortunately, unethical carpet cleaners often use dual process as a bait-and-switch technique. Here's how it's done: First, they "bait" you with a basic cleaning (single process) at an unbelievably low price. Then, when you call, they try to "switch" you to more expensive dual-process cleaning. If you don't fall for their switch and choose their basic service, you'll likely receive poor workmanship using little or no chemicals and they will not guarantee their work.

Unsupported Claims

"This cleaning method is the best." You'll read this in almost every ad. You'll hear this from virtually every carpet cleaner. Remember this: the method that's best for you is the method that achieves your goal. If you want a method that dries quickly, then a method that takes a long time to dry isn't the best choice for you. Before you choose a carpet cleaning method, identify your objectives, then select the method that best reaches those objectives.

Outdated Beliefs

"Hot water damages your carpet." Years ago, many people believed this was true because their carpets were damaged by "technicians" who didn't know how to properly clean using hot water. But today, we know it's false. By washing and then rinsing your carpet with hot water, your carpet is thoroughly cleaned - in the same way that the person who showers and then rinses off the dirt and soap will be much cleaner than the person who takes only a sponge bath. Obviously, each carpet cleaner will be biased toward his own method, and each method will have advantages. I suggest you look to what carpet manufacturers say. Shaw Industries, the largest carpet manufacturer in the world, recommends hot water extraction.

Beware of Bait and Switch Carpet Cleaners

• 

  "This is Bubba. The world's most notorious carpet cleaner!"

You know the type. They "bait" you with a low price, then "switch" you to their "dual scrub" or "deep clean" system out of the goodness of their hearts. When they arrive, they proceed to soak your carpet and leave a soapy residue behind. Good luck getting them back again!

Beware of low priced carpet cleaning. If their price is truly low, you should be concerned about their quality. How can you pay technicians a decent wage and have the best products and equipment at the lowest price? You can't.

Some companies advertise a low price, and then charge you more when they get there. Be clear about what is included in your cleaning package and what is not. In this ad, the fine print says, "We also offer our deep scrub method for all heavily soiled carpets. How many carpets are heavily soiled? All of them! Even if you held them to the 34.75 you would get a very poor cleaning.

• 

Questions to ask every carpet cleaner about their cleaning.

• What method do you use?
• Do you vacuum the carpet?
• Do you pre-spot urine and other spots?
• Do you pre-spray the carpet?
• Do you pre-groom the carpet?
• Do you neutralize the carpet?
• Do you post-groom the carpet?
• Do you use air movers to speed dry the carpet?
• Is all spot cleaning included in the price?
• Is pet odor treatment included in the price?
• Do you give a free bottle of spot remover?
• Do you give a free pair of booties?

Questions to ask about their company.

• Do you have recent references?
• How long have you been in business?
• Are you certified by the IICRC?
• Do you offer a 100% money back guarantee?
• Do you have an on-time guarantee?
• Do you use sub-contractors or employees?
• Do you do background checks on your sub-contractors or employees?
• Do you have liability insurance?
• Do you have a re-soiling guarantee?

We recommend that you do your research before you select a cleaning company. We even invite you to call us and ask us these questions! We want you to completely sure of our experience and the service that we can provide you.

A low priced carpet cleaning company simply cannot provide the most advanced, guaranteed cleaning technology at a low, low price. Something has to be cut from the picture. The Tu's Group Inc. offers all of these benefits and more.

Certified Carpet Cleaner

In shopping for carpet cleaning, you may have noticed the word "certified" being used in advertising. You may have seen a logo being used to feature certification. What does this mean to you as a client? Would you be surprised to learn that most carpet cleaning companies have no formal training? That they are not required to be licensed? That there is no requirement to have any certification whatsoever? Is training and certification important? After all, isn't carpet cleaning a menial task that anyone can perform?

Actually, a carpet cleaning professional is working with one of your most valuable assets. Should it be trusted with just anyone? Unfortunately, our industry is full of "rogues" that only care about how much money they can get from you, and nothing about the life of your carpeting. They do not care about the industry in which they work.

Have you ever noticed that in many states, air conditioning companies, plumbers, and pest control companies are required to be licensed? Not so for carpet cleaners. Fortunately for you, and for me, there are many fine people in the carpet cleaning industry that realize the standard must be raised. Those of us in that process help to police our own industry. In order to do this, associations and certification organizations were created.

One such organization is called the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification). This organization provides certification courses and exams for the carpet cleaning industry. By attending these courses, carpet cleaners are taught about fiber identification, carpet construction, cleaning chemistry, cleaning methods, and professionalism.

These valuable concepts equip them to choose the proper procedures for cleaning your carpet. The certified firm is on the cutting edge of technology and change in our industry. A certified firm knows the right way to apply cleaning procedures and chemistry. A certified firm is working together with other certified firms to raise the standard of carpet cleaning in general, therefore providing you with a higher quality product.

Note: never use a carpet cleaner that is not certified by the IICRC.