November 2003

Cleaning Corner - Gutter Patrol

Gutter maintenance is something homeowners tend to think about only after a problem occurs. They may soon discover that poorly functioning rain gutters can cause many problems, including foundation erosion, basement leaks, and rotten fascia boards.

During the fall and early winter months, it is a good policy to check your home's gutter system for damages from early ice and snow, heavy rains, or clogged debris. It's a good idea to check each run of gutters from a ladder, to make sure they are clean and free of debris before making any repairs.

If your downspouts also have screens at the top, clear them as well, or replace the screens if they're damaged.

December 2003

Tips on the Care of Your Carpet

• Carpets should be vacuumed a minimum of once a week to remove light soil. • Spots and stains should be removed immediately. Call Guarantee System at (616) 451-0787 if you need spot cleaning advice. • Area rugs are cleaned with specialized techniques, often in the plant. • Wall to wall carpets should be cleaned at a minimum of every two years. • To clean carpets properly requires:   1. Cleaning solution 2. Time 3. Mechanical Action 4. Heat • Guarantee System's two step process of pre-scrubbing followed by extraction best meets these needs • Other carpeting services also available through Guarantee System:   · Carpet Repairs · Deodorizing · Spot dyeing, re-dyeing and dyeing · Dupont Teflon

January 2004

Furniture Cleaning

Proper furniture cleaning requires that the technician first test the fabric to determine the best cleaning procedure. Guarantee System has several processes available in order for us to achieve optimum results. Pre-testing will check for potential color bleeding, possible shrinkage, possible crush distortion on velvets, indelible stains, and possible loss of hand, texture, or body on chintz.

The most common cleaning method is an extraction, or "steam cleaning". This process involves the use of water-based cleaning solutions. The cleaning solution is sprayed onto the furniture and then extracted. It is important that attention is paid to the amount of solution used to prevent over-wetting. Sturdy fabrics such as Herculon require this process. When labeled, the furniture label will read W.

The second cleaning process is a sandwiching method, referred to as "dry-wet-dry". This method is used on fabrics that are sensitive to wet cleaning because of nap distortion, such as velvets. This process also helps to avoid the potential problems of both bleeding and browning. When labeled, the furniture tag will read WS.

"Dry cleaning" methods are used for the most delicate of fabrics. This involves hand application of a dry volatile solvent by misting onto the fabric, and then working with absorbent white towels. Furniture labels are marked S. When your piece requires dry cleaning, it is imperative to have the pieces cleaned before they reach a level of excessive soiling.

Haitian cotton is a fabric with its own cleaning process. Haitian cotton is partially processed cotton that still contains sticks and seeds from the cotton plant. When wet cleaned, these will often burst, and cause browning in that area. They cannot be dry cleaned because of the latex backing used, which dissolves under dry cleaning solvents. Since it cannot be wet or dry cleaned, a process was invented to clean just this fabric. It is very effective and completely safe.

Call Guarantee System at 451-0787 for all of your upholstery cleaning needs. Regular cleaning will extend the life of each piece, and keep it looking beautiful.

February 2004

Carpet Advice: When Cleaning is Not Enough

Occasionally, damage may occur to your carpet that cleaning itself cannot correct. So what can be done? Guarantee System offers a variety of services that may be employed when cleaning.

Carpet dyeing solves a myriad of problems. A pink carpet in a boy's bedroom? Dyeing it a new color is the answer. Same if a carpet's color is outdated. Carpet faded to a color other than it was? Re-dyeing to the original color is a simple solution. Also, permanent stains can often be corrected through spot dyeing.

Pets are a member of the family, and sometimes they too cause damage to the carpet. Deodorizing is the answer here. We tailor our deodorizing to the specific situation, so no more or less of a solution than necessary will be used. Our deodorizers are anti-microbial, so they will destroy the source of the odor rather than simply mask it.

Carpet repairs can be made when spot dyeing cannot cover the discoloration, or if a rip or tear has occurred. Cigarette burns are also repairable by a repair process. Carpets that are loose or are separating at the seams can be reinstalled to bring the carpet back into position.

Don't despair when a problem seems insurmountable. Call the experts at Guarantee System at 451-0787 to solve the problem for you.

March 2004

Three Steps to a Cleaner Duct System

When we say "Guarantee System will give you a cleaner indoor environment" we really mean it. One of the best ways you can have a cleaner indoor environment, is to have your furnace air ducts cleaned on a regular basis.

We use the "Roto Brush", a self contained unit, with a HEPA filter specifically designed for duct cleaning. This process allows for a thorough removal of microscopic contamination, such as dust mites and mold spores, as well as any larger debris that has built up inside the system. The process works like this:

1. We start cleaning at the vents in each room with a 25 ft long flexible vacuum hose, using an assortment of different sized brushes that spin, mounted in front of vacuum inlet. The brushes loosen the soil and the vacuum collects it at this point. Nothing comes out of the other vents while cleaning. 2. After the branch runs are cleaned, we access and clean the main runs, using the same process. 3. Then we clean the blower and compartment, outside of heat exchanger and the A/C coil, if needed.

Guarantee System also offers to sanitize the duct system with EPA approved Micropell. The manufacturer warrants up to two years to prevent re-growth of mold spores. Call Guarantee System today at 616-451-0787, so you can breathe easier.

April 2004

Top 10 List for Spring Cleaning

Carpet cleaning is an important part of your spring cleaning. When the sun shines, we all see that our homes need a little more attention. For fun, we'd like to share our own Top 10 list of reasons that customers called us recently. See if you recognize yourself:

10. We went on a vacation to Florida, but our teenage son stayed home. How could so much happen in just 7 days?? The carpet, the furniture, the drapes, everything needs to be cleaned up! 9. It was raining, so I taught the girls to make chocolate chip cookies. When did having carpet in the kitchen seem like a good idea? 8. The grandparents gave our children a puppy for Christmas. Have you ever trained a puppy in the winter? 7. I was worried about the roof as I watched the ice dam build up this winter - little did I know the ice would soon be melting into the house. 6. I have learned the hard way not to burn citronella candles inside the house. 5. I love having the house full of people during the holidays, but I can't ignore those red wine stains on the carpet for another day! 4. The snow was melting, the rain was falling, and the sump-pump was failing. 3. I thought we could get another year out of the old dishwasher. But the seal broke, and now there is water everywhere. 2. My grand daughter loves to paint - now we just have to teach her how to stay on the paper. 1. The sun is finally shining outside, and I'm ready to shine inside too!