How Clean is Clean? How Green is Green?

Wow! This room looks super clean doesn't it? The colors are crisp, the floor is reflective and shiny, the white carpet has no sign of stains, and there is no clutter or debris anywhere to be seen. But what can we not see that is hidden? The naked eye cannot easily see dust spores, dander, dust mites, bed bug eggs, pollen grains, bacteria, or mold spores - that are growing and forming rapidly - until there is a large quantity of them.

Carpet-Cleaning-by-Kwik-Dry-Total-Cleaning can Annihilate this Mold-Spore-with-All-Natural-Products

 This is a mold spore that loves a little bit of food, warmth and moisture.  He is cute and pretty, but just like "the girl next door", is dangerous to your heart and health.  Almost anyone is allergic to mold, especially black mold, except (for some God-given-reason) my 90 year old Nana - Grace.

I went to visit her when she was 90 years old. She lives in Ontario, Canada, not too far from one of our Canadian franchises Ottawa Kwik Dry Total Cleaning. She lives right beside an algae-filled pond, surrounded by beautiful trees and landscape. (See below - that is actually my Gramp's pond and the beautiful colors are not photo-shopped, that pic was taken on my I-phone in October of 2014.)
So there is plenty of food, moisture and warm sunlight to make optimum conditions for black mold growth. 

In my Nana Forster's (Grace - rightly named) basement (on the walls) and bathroom (under her bath mat in the tub)  was the scariest thing I had ever seen! Black mold everywhere!! No wonder my throat was getting sore and my nose running like a tap. When I lifted the mat off of the tub bottom I gagged. I grabbed the bottle of bleach, that I had found in her laundry room, and poured it straight on the mildew and mold. No watering it down for environmentally friendly reasons - there was no time. I was going to die right there from chemical waste exposure! How does my 90-year-old Nana not keel over from all this mold? She wasn't even the least bit sick from it. (I, of course, developed bronchitis from it all, and had to get a Z-pak to recover.) Nana (Grace) Forster - proof that God gives us grace - lived to be days short of 102 years old. Incredible!!

Kwik-Dry-Total-Cleaning-International to the Rescue!

 All-Natural-Green-Co. Kwik Dry Total Cleaning-Destroys-Black-Mold like this without using harsh chemicals in their Carpet, Upholstery, Mattress, Tile and Wood Flooring processes. Does the cleaning company that you employ use "Green" methods in their processes? Do they have the environment in mind or just making money?

Anyways, we won't count me using the bleach as a weapon against the black mold. That was dire circumstances, and I did not have any of our "Magic Potion" Kwik Dry's All-Natural Citrus Cleaner with me at the time.  Our company truly tries to help our earth to be cleaner and healthier. We have researched high and low searching for the right formula that will clean and kill bad bacteria without killing humans and animals in the process. Our products are citrus based made from oranges, grapefruits and lemon peels, ergo the lovely fresh scent left behind after a Kwik Dry cleaning.

 Now these ugly monsters also need to be eradicated, just like the mold and mildew. There are dust mites and dust mite remains, feces, body parts etc, in the dust in the air, in our carpets, in our mattresses and even on our eyelashes, that must be gotten rid of or we face getting asthma, upper respiratory infections, allergies and even brain dysfunctions.

Mattresses are perfect food for mold and mildew to feed on. Room temperature is perfect for mold and mildew to grow. All it needs now is moisture. That is why steam cleaners cannot clean a mattress without starting the mold growing process. Kwik Dry Total Cleaning's process for cleaning mattresses, carpets, area rugs and upholstery uses very little water, therefore is perfect for cleaning your mattress.

 Bed bugs were nearly destroyed completely by DDT's (chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons that do not break down but persist in the environment and become concentrated in animals) in the 1950's - 70's, but with the outlawing of DDT's they have regained their strength and are becoming an epidemic. Heat is now the only way to kill the eggs and this process is very expensive. The adults and nymphs can be killed with steam or insecticides, but the eggs are not harmed. The only way of  heading off bed bugs is by a thorough vacuuming and professionally cleaning of your mattress on a regular basis.

Pollen grains are also floating around in our air, landing on our carpets, bedding, upholstery etc., causing homeowners and residents to inhale and of course - Achoo! - sneeze. When you look at a pollen grain up close and personal, you can see why it would irritate our mucus membranes and cause itchiness.  Pollen season is crazy at our house - all those itchy, watery eyes, runny noses and using tissues by the pound.  How do we get rid of it?  Call Kwik Dry Total Cleaning.

Bacteria is found under the same circumstances as mold and mildew - dirt/food, moisture, and optimum temperatures. They also like darkness. Your air duct system is perfect for bacteria to grow in, as well as in your carpet, upholstery, and mattresses. Some Kwik Dry Total Cleaning Franchises do not offer air duct cleaning services, but the ones that do use the Rotovac System for cleaning which is a source removal system that uses hospital grade disinfectant to kill any bacteria that may be in your H.V.A.C system.

So, what does this "Green" word mean? Be very careful of the "Green" word. Like "natural" "green" is a very vague term. In the cleaning industry it basically means that the products used can break down and nothing is left in the environment -"dust to dust", but it does not mean that one can ingest  or inhale the product without adverse effects.  Kwik Dry's All-Natural Citrus Cleaner should not be drank. Some crazy companies state that their cleaning products can be drank without harm, but they do not tell you that after ingesting the cleaning solution you will be hit with a bout of diarrhea, because your body is rejecting it. One may not die from it, but it is not healthy to consume.

Kwik Dry Total Cleaning has worked diligently to find cleaning solutions that are biodegradable, but actually remove stains. Cleaning companies that use bleach or acid should not be saying that they are a "Green" company.  So how does one know if the company that he/she employs to do your carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, mattress cleaning,tile and grout cleaning, wood floor cleaning, or air duct cleaning is using truly "all-natural" or "green" products.  Ask them and weigh their response on the scales of reason. How clean is clean and how green is green?

FAST DRYING CARPET CLEANING BEATS MOLD!

HOW MY INTEREST IN MOLD STARTED

Were any of you ever in love with his or her teacher when you were little?  I was.

Mr. Carson was the most handsome teacher that ever taught me as a child. He was my fourth grade teacher, and I thought he was awesome! He had light brown curly hair, an athletic build, and dreamy hazel eyes.  I would do what ever he asked of me.  I was his best student - at least that is how I still see it. Ha! Ha!

LEARNING ABOUT MOLD

It was nearing the time for our yearly science fair, and I needed an idea. What was I going to do my science project on? It had to be great!  I must win first prize!  My cousin was NOT going to win this year – not again. Mr. Carson fielded me some ideas and one of them was mold, or penicillin. I researched and read every book in our school library on mold and fungi, drew pictures and diagrams of mold spores, but to no avail - it was not exciting enough to win. I had to beat the spouting volcano this year.

I asked my mom what to do to make my project more interesting. She told me that I needed real samples of mold. Pictures were not enough.  She said to put pieces of food in a container that one could see through, add a little moisture, and let them grow mold.  What a great idea!  

EXPERIMENTING WITH MOLD

I found an old fish bowl, which once had housed a gold fish, that I had won at the fair. (Why do they give you the fish that you hit on the head with the little ball anyways? - It is on a one way trip to the toilet right from the start.)  I took a piece of every kind of food, which I could find in the refrigerator, and carefully placed it in the fishbowl. Then I covered the opening with plastic and secured the cover with an elastic band. Now all I had to do was wait, and nature would take its course.

CONDITIONS THAT MOLD THRIVES IN – The Facts

Mold needs certain variables present in order to reproduce and continue growing: mold spores, mold food, the right temperatures, and lots of moisture.  There are mold spores everywhere in our environment, but they are not triggered to start multiplying until they have the perfect conditions.  Mold likes 70% - 100% humidity - the wetter and warmer the better.  I put my fishbowl on the heat vent and watched as my mold began to appear.

What is mold food?  Like anything in life – in order to grow and reproduce, a substance must first be alive and have nutrients to keep it alive.  Mold needs organic material containing carbon atoms to grow.  For example, my mold experiment needed food from my refrigerator and my mom’s garden to feed off. There were pieces of apples, oranges, carrots, bread, meat, onions, tomatoes, beans, crackers, a napkin at the bottom and “Cheezies”.  Oh – and a piece of gum from the underside of my cousin’s desk chair. (He sat in front of me.)  Mold food is anything that is derived from human, animal or plant life. 

The glass fish bowl was not a good sustainer of life for the mold and mildew, just a good housing unit. The mold did not feed off the glass, but rather fed off the organic cells in the food.  If there is mold on glass it is feeding on the dust or dirt layer on the glass. So, mold eats anything that is natural. The napkin at the bottom of the fish bowl was made from processed wood fibers (from a tree), therefore it became moldy too. The gum contained sugar and my cousin’s saliva – both perfect as mold food. Yuck!!

The last conditions that fungi, mildew or mold needs in order to flourish is moisture or humidity.  Covering the fishbowl opening with cellophane caused the moisture from the food to condense as it tried to evaporate.  The moisture was trapped causing an optimum environment for bacteria to multiply quickly. (I was nine years old, I just did not want my brothers to bother my project, or flies to get in it.)  I was a genius and did not know it. Ha! Ha!

IS MOLD LIFE-THREATENING?

I said all of this for this one reason – unless one has every variable needed for mold to grow – mold will not grow, and will not be dangerous to one’s health.  Carpet cleaners who use a low moisture level process of cleaning try to scare customers into believing that black mold or “toxic death” is lurking in their carpets, and that their cute little baby who crawls on it every day is at the highest risk.  If you as a homeowner or business owner can smell the mold or mildew, or can see actual mold spores on the carpet, then you have a problem.  If there is water leaking under your rug, or there has been a flood, then the under pad has to be removed, the carpet thoroughly dried out, cleaned and disinfectant sprayed down so that mold will not be able to grow.

WHO CAN YOU TRUST?

Now, you will need a professional cleaning company to help you with your problem, who has not told you outrageously exaggerated facts about toxic fumes coming out of your carpet, and will not charge you outrageous prices either.  Kwik Dry Total Cleaning’s policy is “Honesty up Front”.  They show all of their processes from carpet cleaning to upholstery cleaning to tile cleaning to air duct cleaning to hardwood and laminate floor refinishing,and even mattress cleaning on videos found at www.kwkidry.com The prices are posted on their web site for all to see.  Nothing is hidden. 

HOW TO BEAT MOLD

The most important factor in stopping the growth of mold is to limit the amount of moisture.  Take away or limit water from any living organism, and it will stunt its growth or kill it.  Kwik Dry Total Cleaning uses an all-natural, low moisture process that dries in one to two hours depending on the humidity of the room, thus eradicating the multiplication of mold spores under or on your carpet.  Do not believe everything that you read on the internet. If it sounds exaggerated, it probably is.

By the way… I won first prize at the Science Fair, and I saw Mr. Carson many years later, and he was still awesome looking! No exaggeration! Thank God for handsome 4th Grade teachers!  Ha! Ha!

Low-Moisture Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Methods Compared to "Steam" Cleaning

Why Low-Moisture Carpet Cleaning Methods are Superior 

to Steam Cleaning Methods

10/19/2012

Opinion may have it that consumers do not care what difference it makes which method of carpet cleaning is used.  Actually, many concerned and informed consumers do care.  Increasingly, our world is becoming more and more health conscious and economically concerned.  The cleaning process and solution used is very important to the conscientious customer.  What is the safest and most economical method used today?

The general assumption is that steam cleaning is the best process used today. Carpet cleaning companies who utilize the steam cleaning method will claim that carpet manufacturers only recommend the steam cleaning method or will revoke their guarantee.  This, (due to diligent research), has been proven false.  Most carpet manufacturers recommend the “deep cleaning method”, which includes the low moisture method.  If they only recommend the steam cleaning method, check to see if they are also the cleaning company themselves, or their friend owns the cleaning company. The decision to recommend is no longer made depending on the actual process, because manufacturers are finding that the low-moisture extraction method of carpet cleaning is now the safest method, rather than water extraction.

Steam cleaning, which does not use steam but hot water, is a method that often utilizes highly pressurized heated water that is forced down into the carpet backing and often straight through to the carpet pad.  Over time this will ruin not only the pad, but the carpet fibers as well.  Since the steam cleaning works on such a "deep down" level, this means that the water can be trapped at the base of the carpet with any excess dirt left behind.  Water does not rise but falls. A stain that is pushed down by the water will “wick” back up after the carpet dries several hours or even days later.  The excess moisture causes a long drying time enabling mold and mildew to breed deep down in the carpet fibers. The growing bacteria is harmful to people, pets, and the longevity of the carpet.

The Better Choice

The low moisture extraction method of cleaning has proven to be superior to the out-of-date hot water extraction method.  The drying time is significantly shorter, making mold and mildew growth impossible.  The gentle scrubbing of the carpet loosens dirt and grime rather than trying to wash it off, while the centrifugal force of the spinning bonnets or oscillation, partnered with an all-natural solution lifts the dirt to the surface and onto the bonnet.  The result is obvious.

Uses an Oxygenated Citrus Cleaner.

Oxygenated cleansers are exactly what they sound like.  Since they are infused with oxygenated bubbles, they do not need to be used with the same amount of pressure that steam cleaners typically utilize. A low-pressure applicator is used to administer the cleanser directly into the carpet. The cleanser will attach itself to dirt and grime particles, while the oxygenated bubbles react scientifically, gently lifting any oils and dirt up to the surface making it easy to extract, leaving the carpet fluffy and soft to the touch. There are now all-natural citrus based cleaners on the market today that successfully extract stains that any steam cleaning method could not touch.

Environmentally Conservative

Low-Moisture means less water used in the process. When cleaning carpets steam cleaners use at least 20 gallons of water, whereas the low moisture system only uses less than 5 gallons on a whole house.  Conservation of our clean water reserves is becoming more and more important these days.

Economically Conservative

The economical choice between these two methods of carpet cleaning is - surprisingly - the newer, updated low-moisture process.  To purchase a steam cleaning franchise, with a truck-mounted steam cleaner, is anywhere from 95,000  to 250,000 start up cost, whereas a Kwik Dry Total Cleaning Franchise costs from $35,000 to 75,000 (all together), with twice the territory and five cleaning services included. The low-moisture oxygenated system of carpet cleaning is the most cost effective - hands down!

Low Moisture Oxygenated Methods – The New Winner!

For decades, the hot water extraction method of cleaning seemed to be the best way to clean the world’s carpets, and for a while, it was.  But problems were encountered, such as the long drying time that caused mold and mildew to grow, the pushing down of stains into the carpet base that when dried showed up again.  Any good business-person does not want to ruin carpets or have to re-clean carpets. It is just not economically profitable.  So, another method had to be invented to replace this so-called “steam cleaning” method.  The new process uses low moisture, low pressure, and a safe chemical compound that lifts the dirt and grease up to the surface of the carpet making it possible to remove.  The carpet dries faster and stays cleaner longer proving low moisture extraction to be the champion of carpet cleaning methods today.

You may say that the author of this blog does not know what she is talking about, but I do - We were “steam cleaners” 20 years ago.  

Kwik Dry Total Cleaning is an international, multi-faceted carpet cleaning company. Kwik Dry is the only government "Green Approved" method available today for cleaning carpets. Carpets dry in 1 - 2 hours and there are no hidden fees. 

Let's Learn About Kwik Dry Total Cleaning

How to Recognize a Reliable Carpet Cleaning Company

10/19/2012

Anytime a person needs to employ a company, to come to their home and provide a service, an ample amount of research should be done to ensure that both a reputable, as well as an efficient company is hired. Most companies that provide a service want to acquire as much repeat business as possible, and most consumers want to find a reliable company to provide those services, so that they do not have to do lengthy research every time they need a simple job done. It is the hope of all consumers that they can find that special company, on the first try, to never have to endure a negative and costly experience. However, how can one tell a good company from a bad one? 

Every industry has certain standards that they try to abide by, and the professional carpet cleaning industry is definitely a group that tries to maintain very high standards. However, just as it is true with any industry, there are always some bad apples in the bunch. Therefore, it makes it necessary to be well-versed on how to recognize a reliable carpet cleaning company so that these poorly-run businesses will be forced to operate honestly or eventually go under, making it simpler for reputable companies to thrive.

With this ideal in mind, here are some issues to consider when looking for a reliable carpet cleaner or carpet cleaning company:

Do They Stand Behind their Claims?:

Make sure that any professional carpet cleaning company, that comes into   a home, stands behind their work and price. If the company believes in their service, products, and technology, there should be no issue with them holding up what they claim in their advertisements.  In fact, a reputable carpet cleaning company will not make any outlandish or incredible promises, that they cannot keep. 

Being honest and upfront also shows that the company is looking for long-term customers. This is because satisfaction is clearly their main priority. If the carpet cleaning company does not perform their cleaning well, then they will not get paid and will miss out on a potential repeat-customer. 

When professional advertising is attached to the professional carpet cleaning company’s service it shows that they believe in their process and want to show the customer that there will never be a need to get their carpet cleaned by anyone else, because they will be satisfied thoroughly the first time, and every time.

Beware of Hidden Fees and False Advertising

Honesty in any business is hard to come by these days.  However, in the carpet-cleaning field, many companies thrive from being dishonest.  A company will advertise a low price in their advertisements, and when the technician arrives at the unsuspecting, customer’s home or business, the price changes.  The client finds out that there are hidden fees or extra charges - for instance: every spot is extra, deodorizing is extra, deep cleaning is extra - which is a farce (there is no difference in their process), and medium to heavily soiled carpets are extra as well.  Most of the time the customer, out of guilt or politeness, agrees to the inflated price.  

Frugal customers will be angry and will send the company packing, but their carpet will not get cleaned that day, and time will have been wasted. Even though the victimized client will not use that dishonest cleaner again, the company will stay in business, because (in big cities especially) there are millions of customers to swindle.  These kinds of carpet cleaners will double book - cancelling at the last minute, or rebooking those who will not bring the most profit for a later day.  

Trustworthy carpet cleaning companies will advertise, “No Hidden Fees” and will stick to their original price.  They value the repeat-customer and base their living on satisfied clientele.  Ask, in advance, if there are additional fees before the company arrives.  An informed and happy customer is one who asks questions and receives the correct answers.

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Look For Environmentally Friendly Companies

Hazardous, unstable  chemicals are used by many carpet-cleaning companies. Butyl Acetate (or a derivative of such a chemical) is used as a solvent or part of the cleaning solution by most carpet cleaners. Butyl Acetate has a fresh fruity aroma and is a colorless liquid, that looks and smells harmless, yet contains many side effects.  Contact can irritate the eyes and skin.  Mild Inhalation can irritate the throat, cause coughing, and difficulty in breathing.  Moderate exposure can cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and in extreme cases, coma. Prolonged skin contact can cause drying and cracking of exposed areas. Butyl Acetate is also flammable and a fire hazard.

The carpet cleaning company, if they will admit to using a butyl in their solution or solvents, will assure the customer that nothing is left behind in the carpet, but is removed with all of the dirt and grime.  This is not true. Most carpet cleaners leave behind residue - and does the customer want their child or pet breathing or touching any chemicals at all? A “Green Approved” environmentally safe company is the wisest choice in this matter.

  

Knowledgeable Staff & Straight Forward Details

The technician cleaning the carpet should be intelligent and forthright. Some companies simply send over an employee who comes into a home, cleans, and then leaves.  The cleaner may only speak a few words to the homeowner, never letting them in on what they are doing, or what they plan to do.  A good company should be upfront about their process, and their staff should not only know the process by heart, but also be able to answer any questions related to the carpet cleaning service. A carpet cleaning company that employs a knowledgeable staff, that is straightforward with the details of the process, shows that the company is reliable. The more vague a cleaner is with the details of the service, or the misdirecting of direct questions, the less likely the company is to be trusted and worth using.

Appearance Means Everything

Though the outward appearance of people or things does not necessarily define character or performance, but it certainly causes an opinion to be formed at first sight.  A clean, professionally logo-ed vehicle driven by a clean-cut uniform-wearing technician will set the customer at ease, feeling more comfortable letting a stranger into his or her home.

 Many good qualities make a carpet cleaning company reputable and reliable.  Being environmentally friendly, having a knowledgeable staff, having no hidden fees - honest advertising, standing behind advertising claims, and looking professional are definitely some assets to look for when looking for a good carpet cleaner to employ.

Kwik Dry Total Cleaning is an international, multi-faceted carpet cleaning company. Kwik Dry is one of the only truly safe for all  "Green Approved" methods available today for cleaning carpets, upholstery, mattresses, tile, air ducts, and wood floors . Carpets etc. dry in 1 - 2 hours and there are no hidden fees. Kwik Dry has many locations including: Brevard, Broward, Central Florida, Miami, NW Indiana, and Richmond, here in the states, as well as internationally - Ottawa, ON, Canada.  KwikDryCanada is our Canadian Master Franchise which sells Kwik Dry Total Cleaning franchises from British Columbia to Newfoundland. KwikDryUSA sells Kwik Dry Total Cleaning franchises all over the world.

Kwik Dry Total Cleaning’s proprietary cleaning solutions and  excellent process is what is going to propel this cleaning company to unlimited heights of success, as they “clean the world one room at a time”.