Monday, June 8, 2009

Boston Carpet Cleaners

What Good is a Certified Technician?

All that a person needs to do to call himself a “professional” carpet cleaner is go to a grocery store, rent a carpet cleaning machine and “hang out his shingle”.

Currently, there is no state or federal licensing required in the carpet cleaning industry. But certainly, basic training is needed to be able to deal with the large range of cleaning situations that can arise for the cleaner.

The Institute of Inspections, Cleaning, Restoration Certifications (IICRC) was formed in 1972 as a non-profit certification body that sets and promotes high standards and technical proficiency within the cleaning industry. It was started by several existing trade associations within the industry who saw the need for self-regulation. The IICRC works with others in related fields such as carpet and furniture manufacturers and government agencies. They then act as an international body to establish industry accepted cleaning standards and to approve certifications for cleaning technicians.

Cleaners cannot merely purchase a “membership”, it is earned through classroom instruction, study, experience and successful completion of formal, written exams. In addition, the IICRC

requires continuing education credits to maintain one’s certifications. Upholstery cleaning, carpet repair and various other emergency restoration technician certifications have similar qualifications.

Like other industries that require certifications or licensing, it helps protect the customer, but doesn’t necessarily guarantee you’ll be pleased with the results. Just because an attorney is licensed doesn’t guarantee that he will provide you with the type of service you are looking for. Certification does however, serve the purpose of establishing a minimum standard for the cleaning industry.

Carpet manufacturers and fiber producers use the IICRC as a channel to voice their expectations and concerns for cleaning their products. As a result, many companies such as DuPont, Shaw Industries and Scotchgard® recommend or require the use of IICRC certified cleaners to maintain warranties and for recommended maintenance.

Past episodes of DateLine and 20/20 doing exposés on unethical practices in our industry strongly encouraged the use of IICRC Certified Firms/Technicians by consumers. The IICRC seeks to establish and enforce cleaning standards and a Code of Ethics in the carpet cleaning industry.

YOU‘LL LOVE WORKING WITH VIO CLEAN BECAUSE…

The owner will be the person serving you this time and every time.

I use only carpet manufacturers’ tested and approved methods.

I am IICRC Certified (#179527).

♥ You can call me for answers to all your carpet & upholstery questions.

I proudly stand behind my 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

I personalize my service to meet your needs.

...BECAUSE I CARE !



Tuesday, April 14, 2009

VioClean Will Be Attending Marbleheads Green Fair

VioClean supports the Marblehead Go Green Fair come and join us

Here is some information on about the event...

Marblehead Go Green, April 18 The public is cordially invited to a green-living, sustainability fair called “Marblehead Go Green,” set for Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Marblehead Community Center, organized by the Marblehead League of Women Voters. An energy-savings seminar, sponsored by the selectmen through the Massachusetts Municipal Association, will run from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. that same day. There will be speakers on subjects such as efficient and sustainable architectural design, climate change, the new transfer station and the new green business association. Vendors will be selling nontoxic products and products made from recycled or renewable resources. There will be companies distributing information on energy efficiency and renewable-energy installations, along with the town Light Department. Representatives from the Farmers’ Market, the Living Lawn Project, the Marblehead Conservancy, the Recycling Committee, HealthLink, the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow and many other organizations will be represented. Marblehead Bank will provide a shredding truck from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The public is invited to bring 2 boxes of documents for shredding at no charge. Marblehead Bank will also be giving out a free reusable grocery bag featuring Abbot Hall. There will be a children’s “green” crafts table, and Whole Foods, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, the League of Women Voters and Marblehead Bank will provide refreshments. The event is free to the public and participants. For more information call 781-631-4071. To support the fair, a fundraising dinner is being held at the Landing on Tuesday, April 14. This event is open to the public. Call the Landing Restaurant, 81 Front St., 781-631-1266, to make dinner reservations.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Local Company VioClean, Inc. Impresses at Wall Street Journal All Natural Cleaning Research Test.

March 4, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Company VioClean, Inc. Impresses at Wall Street Journal All Natural Cleaning Research Test.

BOSTON - The Wall Street Journal praised Vioclean LLC, the Swampscott, Mass. based all-natural cleaning company, for their “all green”, professional and honest services.

“We were impressed by the professional demeanor of the VioClean workers,”
said Gwendolyn Bounds of the Wall Street Journal.”

The article focused on the growing consumer trend of hiring professional cleaners to restore dingy furniture and carpets rather than purchasing new replacements in these tough economic times. In research for the article, Gwendolyn Bounds hired different cleaning companies to clean furniture and rugs in Chicago, New York City, Brookline, Mass. and Garrison, N.Y. The cleaning companies that participated, including Vioclean LLC, were not told that the job was part of research for a Wall Street Journal article until after the job was completed.

According to the article, the VioClean professionals “spent two and a half hours scouring a six-foot-long putty-colored, pet-rubbed cotton-twill sofa with ink and dirt stains”“scrubbed down an all-tile shower stall with grungy grout” and for less money than was quoted to the customer over the phone. “We were happy the job came out cheaper than the phone price,” commented the author.The Wall Street Journal also praised VioClean for being honest about their “all green” products because other companies were guilty of false advertising that they were 100% all natural.

“I am proud of the praise that VioClean earned in the Wall Street Journal Online article and of the hard work of our employees.” Said VioClean owner Trung Nguyen. “We are dedicated to our work of cleaning carpets, furniture and upholstery at a reasonable price using non-toxic cleaning solutions.”

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To learn more about VioClean visit www.vioclean.com

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Safer, Greener Spring

Many chemicals used in conventional household products pollute our indoor air. Below, some suggestions for a safer, greener spring.

WHERE TOXINS FOUND

Conventional and antibacterial dish detergents and hand soaps, disinfectant and all-purpose cleaners; laundry detergents, fabric softeners, stain removers

HEALTH THREATS

Most are made from petroleum, a nonrenewableresource; fragrances may causeirritation and trigger allergic reactions;some detergents contain alkylphenolethoxylates (APEs), suspected hormonedisruptors. Antibacterial cleanserspromote growth of resistant bacteria

SOLUTIONS

Ecover, Naturally Yours, Seventh Generation laundry and dishwashing detergent; thorough hand-washing with plainsoap and warm water; Earth Power Herbal Disinfectant; AFMSafeChoice Super Clean; Vermont soap works or BioShieldCleaner. To soften fabric, add 1/4 cup of vinegar or bakingsoda to wash cycle; for stain removal, try soaking in watermixed with borax, lemon juice, or white vinegar

Saturday, January 3, 2009

VIOCLEAN RECEIVES IICRC CERTIFIED FIRM STATUS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Issued by: The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification
Vancouver, Washington
(360) 693-5675

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is proud to
announce that VioClean All Green Carpet Solutions, 211 Essex street Swampscott, Ma 01907 recently has qualified as a Certified Firm. This company has met the following IICRC criteria:
• Agrees to uphold honesty, integrity, and competency in all dealings with consumers.
• Maintains appropriate licenses, permits, and bonds.
• Carries adequate insurance coverage at all times to protect consumers and employees.
• Maintains a customer complaint procedure for resolving issues.
• Establishes and maintains a professional attitude in conducting business.
• Seeks, provides, and promotes training and continuing education in the firm to enhance technician
proficiency.

Tom Hill, IICRC Executive Administrator, states VioClean is an example of the type of
company that cares about their customers, their quality of work, and their industry. VioClean
has demonstrated the desire to provide customers with thorough, professional, and caring service.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the
foremost authority in certification and standard setting for the cleaning, restoration, and
inspection industry since 1972. With over 41,504 certified technicians and over 4418
certified firms representing eleven countries, the IICRC is the leading resource for trained
floor covering inspectors, interior textile care, hard surface, and restoration professionals.
By administering a strict process of certification, the IICRC provides a means by which
consumers can receive the highest quality of service from trained, knowledgeable,
professional technicians.

VioClean joins the ranks of the true professionals within the cleaning, restoration, and
inspection industry. The IICRC welcomes VioClean’s participation within the cleaning
and restoration industry.
Scott Lafata
Great Job! Top Notch cleaning. Got out some tough stains. Would recommend VioClean Carpet Cleaning to family and friends. Very friendly and hard working!

Jonathan Ira
Thank you so much for a wonderful job! The carpets are beautiful again, the fresh scent is awesome! The spots were removed and the VioClean Carpet Cleaning tech was great. He was very particular.

Nancy Connelly
Fabulous-although I was mortified at all of the gook I found that the VioClean Carpet Cleaning tech pulled up with the machine and I had just vacuumed. Smells and looks beautiful nice to have an informative tech.

Bridget Mulberry
The carpet turned out really clean. The VioClean Carpet Cleaning technician was professional, courteous and very thorough in cleaning the carpets.

Importance of Vacuuming for Indoor Air Quality

Studies conducted by the EPA have proven that the indoor environment of many homes and buildings are more polluted than the outdoor air. These studies further report that poor “Indoor Air Quality” (IAQ) contribute to the following serious problems:
Poor IAQ increases the suffering of those that have allergies to dust, fungi, dust mite feces/exoskeletons, environmental tobacco smoke, and animal hair/dander's. In some cases, very poor IAQ can result in decreased capacity, an increased workload on the heart and therefore possible cardiovascular problems. Respiratory problems in children under the age of five have been traced to poor IAQ.
It is important to understand the type of soils and how to best improve your families health. Soil is simply defined as “any material that is foreign to the construction of the carpet”.
Insoluble soils which include clay, soot, sand ,carbon, hair and other particles, as well as plant and animal fibers. Many of the fine, airborne particulates ( including those that contribute to poor indoor air quality) are actually filtered out of the air by carpeting and upholstery, along with other irritating gases and animal dander's! According to an industry study, these soils represent 74%-79% of the soils in the carpet. These soils are not dissolved by water.
It is important to note that the smallest, invisible soil particles are the most dangerous! The smaller the particle, the more deeply that it can penetrate the lungs. It is crucial that the vacuum being used remove particles as small as one micron or smaller, if possible. After removal, the system must filter well enough not to pollute the air with contaminates just removed from the carpet.
These soils are also embedded into your upholstery and are dispersed into the environment daily.
The majority of soil in carpeting/upholstery is insoluble and is best removed by a professional vacuum cleaner before any wetting of the carpet is done. Regardless of the vacuum suction employed by truck mounted or portable carpet cleaning equipment, these units cannot (and are not designed to) remove imbedded, gritty, insoluble soils during the hot water extraction process.
To eliminate any of these fundamentals will greatly diminish the quality of cleaning and reduce the health benefits and long term life of the carpeting that you the customer has a right to expect from a professional cleaner.

Chrisy Rickman

The VioClean Carpet Cleaning technician did a great job, was knowledgeable and friendly. The carpet we had cleaned looks great and I am so happy to get the pet stains removed- Great job!