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Low Moisture or Encapsulation Cleaning is Best

There are different methods of professional carpet cleaning. We at Cincinnati Maintenance prefer low-moisture encapsulation. Why? Because Low Moisture or Encapsulation cleaning is the most safe and advanced way to clean and maintain carpet. It dries fast; it’s PH balanced; and there is no chemical residue – therefore is wayyyyyy better for the environment AND for your own home or business.
However, whether you choose hot water extraction or encapsulation cleaning, please consider the following:

  • Pre-vacuuming should be required by the technician. If you hire a professional and they do not begin by dry vacuuming first, send them on their way before they do anything more. Seriously.
  • Request non-toxic, “green” pre-sprays and cleaners. Cincinnati Maintenance often uses Procyon Brand carpet and tile cleaning products to produce amazing cleaning results.  These cleaners are soap free and derived from various plant based ingredients. This helps eliminate any type of chemical exposure whatsoever.
  • Carpet grooming: The crimp and twist of the carpet is set at the mills with either a wet or dry heat.  When professionals clean with heat, the setting from the mills can be disrupted.  Post Grooming can help prevent harming the carpet fibers.

Cincinnati Maintenance is dedicated to staying current on all of the best products and best practices to help keep your home and business clean AND safe.

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Wicking: Wha-what?

Wicking: Wha-what?
What the heck is “wicking?”
Well, have you ever had your carpets cleaned – particularly a specific stain – and it looks great but in a few days, that stubborn stain mysteriously shows back up? Annoying as all get-out for sure – that’s wicking.
Wicking is caused when a stain has penetrated deep into the carpet.  Then, when the carpet cleaned – commonly by a “wet” (water) extraction method – the part of the stain that has deeply penetrated the carpet is not completely removed.  After this “wet” type of cleaning is performed and the carpet has dried, the residual portion of the soiled area “wicks” its way to the surface of the carpet fibers. Darn it! – and you’re likely out the money for that professional cleaning you just paid for.
The GREAT news is that with Cincinnati Maintenance’s green, low moisture technology, dry time is often only 45-90 minutes and also prevents that nasty wicking or reappearance of a nasty, stubborn stain.
Contact Cincinnati Maintenance today to take advantage of our low moisture cleaning process – a deep clean that is truly just that – a deep clean that dries fast!

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EVERYONE Talks about Green Cleaning – So Do We!

EVERYONE talks about “green cleaning.” Guess what, so do we here at Cincinnati Maintenance! We love letting our Cincinnati clients know that we care not only about their carpets, upholstery and floors, but that we also care about their kids, pets, and the whole family!
Also, Cincinnati Maintenance knows the importance of taking care of our environment. It’s a no-brainer that keeping the environment healthy, keeps you and your families healthy, too.
That’s why the products we use and how we use them are good for your home AND your family. We use green-certified products that have your carpets and rugs drying quickly and that also eliminate the risk of mold or other growth.
Taking it a step further, Cincinnati Maintenance does not use gasoline-burning engines during cleaning services and we use only HEPA filtration vacuums on every job. Our products and techniques ensure that your home is taken care of in the “greenest” way possible. That’s how we show we care.

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What is LEED, anyway?

What is LEED, anyway?

You probably know by now that Cincinnati Maintenance is all about healthy environments and safe cleaning within homes and commercial buildings. One word you may have heard in conjunction with healthy environment is  “LEED-certified.”  What does that mean, when a building is LEED-certified?
Well, when you hear “LEED-certified” think GREEN!
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, and office and commercial buildings that are “LEED-certified” means these buildings operate at lower costs and create a higher standard of environmental quality. “Green” buildings mean that closer attention is paid to energy-efficiency in heating, ventilation and air conditioning as well as windows, lighting, plumbing and more.  The maintenance of these environments then require green cleaning and maintenance to uphold the higher standards set forth in the construction and outfitting of the office or commercial buildings.
Cincinnati Maintenance proudly operates with the most advanced and up-to-date cleaning methods and safe chemistry available. We strive to provide the healthiest possible work space for the buildings we maintain.  We also closely monitor the most cutting-edge green technology and practices to ensure you, your properties and your businesses are protected and are doing your part to be responsible to the environment.

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Green Cleaning – Great for You AND the Environment

Great for You AND the Environment

Green cleaning – most have heard of it, these days. Why should you care about green cleaning?  Daily, we are hearing more and more in the news about the importance of being safe for the environment. Keeping the environment healthy, keeps you and your families healthy, too. Cincinnati Maintenance believes that every home should be as “green” as possible. At the least, strive to maintain your home in a clean, safe, “green” way.
With your health and the environment our top priority, the products we use and how we use them are good for your home AND your family.
Cincinnati Maintenance uses green-certified products when we clean your home or office.  We want the healthiest possible environment for you– whether it’s a regular maintenance cleaning or a complete restoration. A perk of the green products we use is that your carpets dry very quickly and this eliminates mold or other biological growth.
There are no gasoline-burning engines during cleaning services and we use only HEPA filtration vacuums on every job. Our products and techniques ensure that your home is taken care of in the “greenest” way possible. That’s great for you AND the environment.

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Why LEED-certified “Green” Office Buildings are Attractive to Tenants, Businesses and Employees

Lately, we at Cincinnati Maintenance have been blogging about healthy environments and safe cleaning within homes and commercial buildings – we’ve talked a little about LEED-certified (think Green!) practices and strategies.
LEED means Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, and office and commercial buildings that are “LEED-certified” have in the past few years proven that this concept is what tenants, businesses and employees prefer.  These buildings operate at lower costs and create a higher standard of environmental quality – which is catching the powerful attention of commercial/corporate, public and individual buyers. These high-level performance features are definitely playing into decisions about leasing space and purchasing properties and homes.
Green buildings mean that closer attention is paid to energy-efficiency in heating, ventilation and air conditioning as well as windows, lighting, plumbing and more.  The maintenance of these environments then require green cleaning and maintenance to uphold the higher standards set forth in the construction and outfitting of the office or commercial buildings.
Cincinnati Maintenance proudly provides “green cleaning” for offices, commercial buildings, medical facilities and more – always with the environment and the health of the workforce and customers and clients of these buildings in mind.
With the most advanced and up-to-date cleaning methods plus safe chemistry, we strive to provide the healthiest possible work space for the buildings we maintain.  Cincinnati Maintenance also closely monitors the most cutting-edge green technology and practices to ensure you, your properties and your businesses are protected and are doing your part to be responsible to the environment.

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What is LEED in Greater Cincinnati? Green Building Leadership is Changing How We View Design, Construction, MAINTENANCE and Operation of Buildings and Communities

Have you ever heard of LEED?  If you haven’t, you soon will.  Perhaps you’ve heard of Green Building Leadership?  Or, just green buildings?
Basically, LEED stands for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, and it is a level of certification that provides the standard for green building practices and strategies.   
The question is, why should you care?  We spend most of our lives in our homes and offices.  For now, let’s just consider your home.  As we learn more each day about the importance of being safe for the environment as well as safe for our own personal health and that of our families, Cincinnati Maintenance believes that every home should be “green.”  At the minimum, it should be maintained in a clean, safe, “green” manner.  
Cincinnati Maintenance provides “green cleaning.”  With your health and the environment in mind, the products and techniques we use protect your largest investment – your home.  And, protects your most valuable asset – your FAMILY.
Green Cleaning with Cincinnati Maintenance means we use 90% less water during cleanings and only use green certified cleaning products.  With the most advanced and up-to-date cleaning methods plus safe chemistry, we strive to provide the healthiest possible environment – whether it’s a regular maintenance cleaning or a complete restoration. One of our clients’ favorite results is that your carpets and floors dry quickly, and this eliminates the fear of mold or biological growth.
Green Cleaning also means that sewage waste is reduced by 90 percent.  There are no gasoline-burning engines during cleaning services.  Additionally, we use only HEPA filtration vacuums on every job.
Bottom line is: we support the concept that LEED homes are built to be healthy, provide clean indoor air and use safe building materials.  To that end – whether you have a LEED-built home or not – Cincinnati Maintenance strives to provide green cleaning maintenance to give you and your family the highest level of green peace of mind available.
Learn more on our Green Cleaning website page.

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Low Moisture Cleaning Solves Problems

Low Moisture or Encapsulation cleaning is the most safe and advanced way to clean and maintain carpet.  Whether in residential setting or commercial environments low moisture solves many problems associated with carpet cleaning.

  • Carpets dry fast. Homeowners are happy because their busy house can get back to normal quickly.  Commercial clients experience rapid turnaround times and avoid potential slip hazards that are normally associated with other cleaning methods
  • No complex chemical processes. Most all encapsulation cleaners are PH balanced.  Not only safe for all face fibers, but they do not require the application of rinsing agents.  This leaves carpet fresh, clean without the chance of leaving chemical residues behind attracting unwanted soil. In fact most of the advanced products today will add stain and soil protection to nylon face fibers.
  • Environmentally safe. Low Moisture cleaning cuts out waste of thousands of gallons of water reducing water footprints, and eliminates sewage waste allowing soil to be vacuumed up as a dry solid before and after the cleaning process. In addition products like Jacob’s Encap Extra has been scrutinized by the scientific team at the US EPA and carries the DfE logo certifying that it’s safe for humans, pets, and the planet.

 
Steam Cleaning or Hot Water Extraction
Keep in mind, any method performs well if done properly.

  • Steam or Hot Water Extraction: Requires the use of either portable equipment or more common truck mounted systems.  Steam extraction is the most common form of carpet cleaning available.  As with any other form of cleaning a thorough dry vacuuming should be performed by the technician in order to remove the majority of dry soil in the carpet.  This includes a pre grooming or pile lift.  75-80% of dry soil cannot be removed with water or solvent alone.  An application of pre-treatments typically a high ph pre-spray is common in most applications. Agitation and dwell time for chemistry is very important. A rinsing process then begins.  If a high alkaline pre-treatment was used to release soil from fibers then an acid rinse must be performed to leave the carpet at a ph balance.  Not doing so will leave a residue causing rapid re-soiling.  Avoiding over wetting is important to.  Proper tool and truck maintenance is vital to ensure you perform the cleaning properly.  Some companies use fans or air movers to aid in the drying process.  Often at a higher cost.

Whether you choose hot water extraction or encapsulation cleaning, here are a few things to keep in mind.

  • Pre-vacuuming is required by the technician. If you hire a cleaner and they fail to bring in a dry vacuum or special attachment for their truckmount specifically for dry vacuuming, send them packing.
  • Make sure you ask what type of chemicals and cleaning process they are using. There are plenty of advanced non-toxic pre-sprays and carpet cleaning detergents available.
  • Carpet grooming. The crimp and twist of the carpet is set at the mills with either a wet or dry heat.  Often called Heatsetting. You may have heard of Superba. When cleaners clean with heat the setting from the mills can be disrupted.  Post Grooming can aid in preventing damage to the fibers.  It is also a pre-vacuuming aid to help remove soil from the carpet.

Low-Moisture cleaning ranks at the top for green cleaning carpet cleaning methods.  There are some major advantages of using green cleaning techniques around your home and business.
Did you know microfiber towels are simply the best to use for cleaning hard surfaces?  They make some awesome microfiber bonnets for carpet too, but you can accomplish amazing results without the use of toxic chemicals.
Microfiber is lint free, safe for most surfaces as its non-abrasive, and its hypoallergenic. Microfiber comes in the form of hand towels, mops, and various other forms.  They often come in different colors allowing you to use them in different cleaning applications without cross-contamination. Hard to do with terry cloth towels.  Why is microfiber so green?  It has tiny hooks that help grab on to soil kind of like Velcro for dirt! Microfiber cleaning systems also help facilities earn credits for LEED certifications.
Cincinnati Maintenance also uses the Procyon Brand carpet and tile cleaning products to produce amazing cleaning results.  These cleaners are soap free and derived from various plant based ingredients. This helps eliminate any type of chemical exposure whatsoever.
This company was founded by introducing low-moisture cleaning in the Cincinnati area.  We will and continue to be on the cutting edge of green cleaning technologies.  Safe, effective, and clean without causing environmental hazards or exposing anyone to toxicity.
 

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