This is a rental condo on Clearwater Beach in where the carpet has not been cleaned in 3 years.  This is a month to month rental and the owner estimates that over 20 families has stayed at in between cleanings.

The photo on the left is the condition of the carpet before we began our 9 step Carpet Dry Cleaning process.  We informed the owner that we will do the best that we can but that he can’t reasonably expect a new looking carpet is absence of a yearly cleaning that has been missed for the past 3 years – he agreed.  Notice in the both photos the pinkish stain where the dining room table sat.  There was a rubber back rug where this square is and that rubber backing changed the color of the wall to wall carpeting.  This is a very common problem – please do not use a rubber back rug to place on your wall to wall carpet.

Carpet Dry Cleaning vs Steam Cleaning????

Looking at the side by side photos you can really tell where we had made a significant difference.  The owner of the condo was very pleased with the results and scheduled us to clean his personal home.  He states that the reason he put the cleaning off for so many years is because he had a bad experience with a low cost steam cleaning company.  When I asked him how much he paid and who the company was – he struck out on both accounts.  He paid $40 and the guy worked out of the trunk of his car.  In essence and he agreed – he got what he paid for.  I assured him that there are a lot of legitimate carpet cleaning companies but we are glad that he found ours.

Our new customer often ask our office manager when they call us;  What is the difference between Carpet Dry Cleaning vs steam cleaning.  Janice does a terrific job answering that question but in this example I will let the before and after photos provide the explanation.  This customer has always had her carpet steam cleaned and she was never totally happy with the results in front of her sofa.  She was referred to our company by her neighbor who is an existing customer of ours.  The carpet is 7 years old and as much as we would like to make old look like new, it’s just not possible.

We moved the coffee table where the carpet underneath looked like new (never been walked on) and compared that area to the dirty worn area in front of the sofa (photo on the left).  The photo on the right is after we completed our Cleaning process.  Although we couldn’t match the new carpet underneath the coffee table, we certainly came close.  She was so thrilled with the results that she had us clean two pieces of furniture for her.  It is truly an honor when our customers are pleased with our services.  Her neighbor (the one that referred us) came over to see the results before we left and said to our new customer – I told you that they would get that clean.

Doll Bros. is getting ready to celebrate our 50 years in the Carpet Cleaning business;

My parents began this business and as their son I am so proud to be the 2nd generation.  And I am equally proud that our son Aaron is now the 3rd generation of Dolls’.  We are truly a family owned business that enjoys excellent A+ rated credentials from the Better Business Bureau and Angies List.  We look forward to the next 50 years of family ownership and have high hopes of a Grandchild being the 4th generation.

Our 9 step Carpet Dry Cleaning process includes at no additional charge – Stain-Guard Protector, Deodorizer and a sanitizer that we add to our cleaning products.  We constantly attend industry classes and seminars to improve upon our knowledge and skills.

At this office in Seminole, Florida one client has moved out and the new client was to move in 2 days after we performed our Carpet Dry Cleaning process.  The photo on the left is what the carpet looked like before we started carpet cleaning.  We were informed that it had been 3 years since the last cleaning and in addition to the overall ware, dirt and dinginess of the carpet – it had a bad odor problem.  Your probably thinking the same thought I had when I saw this carpet, why didn’t the new client insist on carpet replacement.  I don’t know the answer because it’s not my place to ask.  Our task was to restore the carpet to the best of our ability and kill the cause of the odor.  When we began our 9 step Carpet Dry Cleaning process we just thought this was a dirty grey carpet.  But look at the photo on the right after the cleaning was complete, it was actually a brownish color.

Not all carpet cleaning is created equal:

To remove the odor we added and incredible sanitizer right in with our cleaner so that we could drive this material all the way through the carpet pile.  After we removed all of the chunky debris that we dug out of the carpet, we deodorized the carpet with Fresh Wave and then applied our Stain-Guard Protector.  The carpet was dry 2 hours after we completed.  Although we tried as hard as possible to remove the traffic pattern,  in this case the carpet was just to far neglected to completely restore it.  We did get assurances from the Property Manager that he would have us out to clean next year.  If that’s the case then this carpet has a good chance of being fully restored to a beautiful carpet.

As a side note;  The Property Manager was so impressed with our dedication that he called our office that day and had his home scheduled for our Carpet Dry Cleaning process.

First I would like to talk to you about this photo (I really need a new camera).  These folks bought this condo fully loaded with furniture in which we cleaned 9 other pieces as well as the carpet.  I chose this recliner to talk about because of how it is a unique material.  This recliner is approx 20 years old and the fabric is Herculon.  This fabric to the best of my knowledge is no longer manufactured for furniture because it lasts to long and cleans up to well.

Isn’t that a shame!  The thinking in the furniture industry is how can we increase sales if the fabric last to long and cleans up really well.

Going back to this photo.  It’s kind of hard to tell (photo quality) notice the area where your back would be and the arm on the left – I didn’t clean that area but I cleaned the rest of the chair.  Notice the color difference?  Where I didn’t clean has a hue of green (dirt) but the other areas the colors are bright and vivid.                          Our 4 step furniture Cleaning process restores the color in the fabric.

4 Step Furniture Cleaning:

We pre-spray spots and stains and then use a nylon or horse hair brush to work the cleaners into the material.  We also add a Sanitizer to our cleaning solution and apply the cleaning solution.  Next we extract out the debris, body oils and dander and then we apply a Stain-Guard Fabric Protector.  This is an all inclusive service that we do on all furniture cleaning jobs.  There are no add on costs for our customers on any of the services that we perform.

In this photo, we cleaned both sides of the carpet to show you just how dirty the carpet was and the type of cleaning results that our Carpet Dry Cleaning process gets.  This is a fully furnished rental condo at a high rise on the beach.  The customer stated that the Property Manager had the carpet cleaned before she moved in but she felt like it was still dirty.  One of her neighbors in the high rise is a customer of ours and that is how she heard of Doll Bros.

As the photo indicates, her gut feeling was accurate.  The carpet was very dirty and as you can see it cleaned up beautifully.  Once we completed our 9 step Carpet Dry Cleaning process, the room brightened up and the color of the carpet was restored.

 Carpet Dry Cleaning vs Steam cleaning;

My guess is that whoever cleaned the carpet prior to us did a steam cleaning process.  Since the condo was on the 12th floor they had to use a little portable machine.  I don’t doubt that they removed dirt from the carpet but most likely they over wet it causing it to wick back.  This is a common problem when wet cleaning is performed on a Berber carpet.  After we completed our 9 step Carpet Dry Cleaning process the customer was so pleased she went back to thank her neighbor for the referral.  This a very nice compliment from both the new customer and our existing customer.  As a small family owned business it sure is rewarding to provide a service that everyone wins from.

At this customers homes in Clearwater, Florida – we were called out to clean the tile and grout floors in the kitchen.  During and after our inspection we ask several questions and one of them is… Do you know if the grout lines have been painted?  We needed to ask this question because the tile floor was 15 years old and due to the amount of black crud that was in the grout lines, we couldn’t even tell what color the grout was/is.

They have lived in the home for 8 years and prior to there move in, they wouldn’t know.  Because of this, we went with the side of caution and made this statement.

We are confident that we can get the black crud out of the grout lines but we have no idea what the condition of the grout is underneath the crud.  We will perform our tile and grout cleaning process but we can’t be held responsible for the grout underneath it.

They thought this was fair, and either way the grout had to be cleaned as a 1st step to restore this kitchen floor.

Our Tile and Grout Cleaning includes the grout sealant at no additional charge;

Let’s talk about the photo that you see.  This is what the grout looked like after out tile and grout cleaning.  Those grout lines were jet black before we began.  This ugly material in the grout lines is old paint.  Someone painted the grout lines years ago and the paint permeated deep into the grout lines.  What was the cure to this problem….  At a small additional cost the grout lines can be painted and the grout sealed.  That is what this customer chose to do and and she ended up with a beautiful kitchen floor that she was thrilled with.

                             Grout Cleaning

Removing the dried crud in the grout lines requires special cleaners and machinery.  In these two photos we chose to leave some grout lines dirty so that you could see a good side by side comparison.  While we are in the customers home, this is how we show our customer the results that we are getting.  On this particular tile, there is a color pattern in the tile itself. Once we removed the debris off of the surface of the tile our customer was really happy that the color was brighter.  We do 100′s of tile and grout cleaning jobs a year and it’s just amazing how much brighter a room becomes once the tile and grout has been cleaned.  That is one constant compliment that we receive on every job.

  Tile and Grout Cleaning cost;

Most companies charge an additional fee to seal the grout lines once the cleaning is complete.  This is a very important step and a costly one for the customers.  Just like all of the services that Doll Bros. performs – this is all inclusive in our price.  We don’t charge an extra cost for this service because it is a basic part of doing the job.  Doll Bros. does not charge any extra charges for any of our services.  When you hire us for Carpet, Tile, Furniture or Leather cleaning we perform the complete job for one price.  That’s just the way that we do business and the way that we want to be treated when we hire people to come to our home.

Tile and Grout cleaning – the sealant;

We apply the grout sealant right into the grout line.  Some companies mop it on but we use a tool to put the sealant where it belongs – in the grout line.  Although it takes the sealant 24 hours to cure, you can walk on the floors right away.  Our feet do not touch the grout lines so the floor can be used immediately.

   commercial carpet dry cleaning;

This is a Doctors office in downtown Clearwater, Fl.  The commercial carpet has not been cleaned in more than 2 years and he knew that he didn’t want a wet cleaning process that wouldn’t be dry by the time he opened his office the next day.  We were referred to him by one of his patients (our customer).  In this photo you can tell the area that we cleaned from the the area that we haven’t.  Unfortunately this photo didn’t turn out as well as the cleaning did.  With our Carpet Dry Cleaning process we all but eliminated the traffic pattern that went through this hallway.  The Doctor and his staff were quite pleased with the results.

   Carpet Dry Cleaning vs steam cleaning;

The office manager told us that the reason that they put the cleaning off for so long was they were not aware of carpet dry cleaning.  Their last experience with wet cleaning was disastrous.  When they opened the office the next morning after the wet cleaning, the carpet was still wet and there was a musty odor in the air.  They were very disappointed that they and their clients had to endure this all day.

                                                                                 Doll Bros. 9 step Carpet Dry Cleaning;

As we were cleaning the carpet we explained to the staff that we add a sanitizer right into our cleaner.  So as we are cleaning, the carpet is getting sanitized of odor causing smells.  In addition, when we complete the cleaning process – We apply a Stain-Guard Protector to the carpet.  This is all a part of our 9 step Carpet Dry Cleaning process that we use on every job regardless if it’s a commercial or a residential job.

I am often asked what is the difference between steam cleaning vs carpet dry cleaning.  These two cleaning methods are at the polar opposites of each other.  A steam cleaning is a high pressure water flushing of the carpet.  There are applications to where this method has an advantage over carpet dry cleaning such as oily or greasy carpets (in restaurants).

The carpet dry cleaning process uses very little moisture but extreme agitation to remove any and all debris that is lodged into the carpet fiber.  That takes us to this picture.  This pile of debris was “dug” out of a plush carpet while we were performing our 9 step cleaning process.  This is not debris that was laying on top of the carpet and this is not loose debris that a vacuum could pick up.  This is solid chunky debris that our machine dug out of the carpet pile.

    What carpet cleaning method is best for your carpet?

In 1995 we switched over from being a steam cleaning company to a carpet dry cleaning company.  Since that time we have performed our carpet dry cleaning process in over 11,000 homes.  The results that we get are just amazing and that goes for any type of carpets.  We are A+ rated with the Better Business Bureau and winners of  Angies List superior customer service award.  Most people dislike a carpet that is left wet and needing many hours to dry.  Our 9 step carpet dry cleaning process is dry in 2 hours or less and can be used immediately.

This is a follow up article to the blog that I wrote on 4/23/13.  The photo in that article was difficult to see but in this photo you can really tell the difference between Carpet Dry Cleaning vs Steam Cleaning.  The area to the left in the photo is what the carpet looked like after it was Steam Cleaned.  The carpet was over saturated and after it dried the dirt “wicked” back causing it to look dull and dirty.  This is why this customer called Doll Bros. to solve the problem.  We performed our 9 step Carpet Dry Cleaning process and the results are what you see on the right side of this photo.  As you can see, the color return to the rug and it restored it to a great looking carpet.  Our customer was delighted with the results and that the carpet was dry in less than 2 hours.

Carpet Dry Cleaning produces tremendous results;

We switched over to our Carpet Dry Cleaning process and have cleaned over 11,000 residential homes.  Prior to this we only performed truck mounted Steam Cleaning and did that for decades.  We are just amazed how consistent the cleaning is for all types of carpet fibers and all types of soling conditions.  The results are typically night and day, just like this photo.