News: Art of Clean elected as Senior Member of NCCA

What sort of experience have you had when trying to employ a tradesperson or company?  Were you happy with the service you received?  If you received a positive experience, then you will understand the importance of choosing the right person for your job. 

There are many reasons to employ the services of a professional cleaning company as the leading cleaning service provider in Cambridge, Essex and Hertfordshire, we like to pride our professional service largely coming down to our training and knowledge.  

It is also important to remember, the mistakes of an inexperienced and untrained cleaner can cause damage to both carpet and furniture that can be expensive or impossible to repair.

At the Art of Clean we are proud to announce our Senior Membership for the National Carpet Cleaners Association.

To achieve this level, Art of Clean, as with all applicants for membership must undertake the NCCA course in carpet and upholstery cleaning and reached the required standard in the written test papers.  This course offers a thorough grounding in all aspects of the carpet and upholstery craft, and covers theoretical and practical instruction in basic cleaning as well as spot and stain removal.

It is only after successful completion of this course may the applicant become a fully accredited member of the NCCA and be eligible to add the coveted logo to their company name. 

A trade association like the National Carpet Cleaners Association is a governing body that has specific training and industry news that really any professional should be part of. There are even in depth industry exams just to pass. Also part of the criteria are having the correct insurance, and all members must carry out industry standard processes and run an ethical ship.

The National Carpet Cleaners Association is the only nationally recognised trade association dedicated to the cleaning of carpets, hard flooring and soft furnishings.

The NCCA membership comprises fully insured companies and professionally trained technicians that follow a Code of Practice and are recommended for a full range of services related to the carpet and upholstery cleaning industry.

NCCA members are trained professionals and can undertake work in many industry related areas.

Members’ services include:

• Cleaning of all types of Flooring and Soft Furnishings
• Hard Floor Restoration
• Rug Cleaning and Repair
• Leather Furniture Cleaning and Restoration
• Carpet and Fabric Repair
• Fabric and Fibre Protection

If you are considering employing a company to undertake cleaning or restoration of carpets, upholstery, hard flooring, leather, curtains and rugs, you cannot underestimate the value of using an NCCA member.

 

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

CLEANING PRODUCTS

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Art of Clean Competition Winner 2016

We would like to thank everyone who took part in the Art of Clean Rug-time Competition 2016.  We had a great response, but unfortunately there could only be one winner and we have great pleasure in announcing Tali Fisher (pictured below) from Cambridge as our competition winner. 

We asked everyone who took part in the competition to tell us, which is your favourite room in the house and why? 

Tali to who told us that her favourite room in her house was, "the open plan kitchen and dining area because it is the heart of the house where we cook together and eat together as a family".

Once again we would like to thank everyone who took the time to enter our competition.  Please watch this space for further competitions and promotions.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,
Carpet Cleaning,
Rug Cleaning,
Upholstery Cleaning 
Leather Furniture Cleaning, 
CLEANING PRODUCTS

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

3 Simple tips to redesigning your home | Art of Clean

Now the warmer weather and longer days have arrived, generally our thoughts turn to doing those jobs around the house such as interior decorating but if you don’t want the upheaval of a full redecoration, here are some great simple tips for changing the style of your room which you can do yourself.

Floors

If you have carpets on the floor, either you can call in a professional cleaning company to give them a good clean, which will leave them smelling fresh and clean, alternatively if you think your carpet is looking past its best, lift up a corner and take a look underneath.  If you find floorboards, get them sanded and sealed by a professional floor sanding company and then put a rug down.  It will dramatically change the look, feel and aspect of the room.  

Handmade rugs are particularly on-trend at the moment in the interior design world and with Cambridge at the forefront of UK fashion trends, there is no better time to purchase a new rug.

Contrasting colours and asymmetric patterns are becoming increasingly common in modern homes across Cambridge and that means it's important to know how to care for them. Of course, there's no substitute for a professional rug cleaning service, but to maintain your lovely rug to look as good as possible you should be aware of the following points:

Avoid Moisture: Water is handmade rug's worst enemy and you should avoid spillages as much as possible. Of course, accidents happen, but the key to maintaining a handmade rug is to dry it as soon as comes into contact with moisture. Doing this will keep it fresh and looking great for years to come. 

Rotation is Crucial: Wear, tear and sunlight can play havoc with a handmade rug and to properly look after it you need to keep it moving. Rotating a handmade rug is the key to avoiding fading and uneven scuffs.

Underlay that Protect: Handmade rugs offer a plush surface to walk on and to properly care for it you need to return the favour with some underlay. Protecting a rug from hard surfaces using underlay will not only give your carpet some extra lift but extend its lifespan. 

Lighting 

Lighting is crucial for a room.  In the living room take away the side tables and have free standing lights or you could get small uplighters and put them by the curtain and they will light up the ceiling and that will give it a whole new look.

Colour of the walls

And the next thing you could do is change the colour of the walls. According to HouseBeautiful magazine, current interior wall paint trends for 2016, will be lilacs and purples, milky blues, dark teals and my favourite neutrals paired with jewel tones.

Caring for a handmade rug takes time, effort but, ultimately with the help of a professional, it will be easier for you. In addition to following our three steps to interior design, you should find a professional rug cleaning and floor sanding company in Cambridge to provide regular treatment for your prized possession.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

CLEANING PRODUCTS

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Cleaning Materials and Tech Your Home Needs in 2016

Who doesn't love a new gadget?  In recent years, we have seen dozens of posts about trendy gadgets or best practices for some innovative industry.  House cleaning services in Cambridge may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but there's plenty of gadgets and some tried and tested techniques that will never go out of fashion.

If you’re about to jump on the spring cleaning, keep these house cleaning tips and technologies in mind.

Robotic Vacuums

Robotic vacuum cleaners aren’t brand new, but they’re more affordable and effective than ever before. Model prices range from £250 for a Neato Robotic XV, to £600 for an iRobot Roomba 780. 

The Roomba by iRobot is one of the most popular options, with a variety of models ranging from £300 to £600. These come with familiar attachments that may remind you of your old Hoover. There are even robotic floor scrubbers, mops, and pool cleaners.

Winbot

This year, leave the ladder in the garage – let a robot do your window washing. Winbot by Ecovacs Robotics uses magnetics to secure itself to a window and employs microfiber pads to get the job done. This can be a major time saver if you have tall windows or a storefront to keep nice and shiny. 

The Winbot W850 window cleaning robot is currently priced at £249.00.

If these innovations leave you feeling some technophobia, here are a couple classics that technology could never replace.

Fresh Lemons

Lemons can help you clean some metals and copper, your sink and shower faucets, the microwave, and more. They’re particularly useful in removing unpleasant food smells or stains.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch is another stain-saver. Sprinkle some on carpets or upholstery where needed, dab with some white vinegar (after it sits for 10–15 minutes), and depending on the spot, hit it with the vacuum.

These new or improved technologies can help you save time cleaning this year. If you’re running a business or just busy at home, these cleaning solutions can help you get the job done. Art of Clean know these and other tricks of the trade. For a comprehensive cleaning solution, look for a professional cleaning company that can meet your every need.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

CLEANING PRODUCTS

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Moths: Invasion of the carpet munchers

Last week, Gavin our Art of Clean Service Technician was sent out on a straight forward carpet cleaning job to Cambridge. Our client didn't want the furniture to be moved, but it was soon apparent to Gavin that there was something different to carpet he was cleaning. As he moved the curtains and cleaned the carpet, large parts of the carpet came away from the edge. This wasn't anything to do with the strength of the vacuum cleaner but on closer inspection it was clear that the carpet had been infested with moths and their larvae.

The moths had been obviously happy eating away at the carpets, undisturbed for an unspecified amount of time and had they not been discovered, then they would have carried on.

To complete the carpet clean, Gavin used Chemspec for wool fibre treatment spray around the edges of the room, which will stop any reinfestation.

Fortunately, moths are not a health risk, but they can cause enormous amount of damage to clothes, carpets and other fabrics in your home. As soon as you see the tell-tale holes, or spot the larvae, then take action.

There are a number of steps you can take to get rid of moths. Source the root of the problem. Check wardrobes, chest of drawers or cupboard. It will be apparent when you locate the problem as you'll see where most of the damage is. 

Regular vacuuming of the infected area to remove all the larvae. Wash all your clothes and soft furnishings in the infected area, such as blankets and bed sheets.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

CLEANING PRODUCTS

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

What is your commercial carpet saying about your business or place of work?

How important to you are first impressions?  It's something that we don't like to admit to ourselves, because we are taught 'not to judge a book by its cover' but in everyday life and in business, we do and it only takes us a few seconds to sum up a person by their appearance, by the clothes they wear and by how they speak, and that first impression takes a lot to improve on or alter.

So it's just the same for our commercial buildings, such as schools, shops and offices.  In those circumstances, where business is everything, and our working surroundings are important to enable us to work and perform better in our jobs, we sometimes, let ourselves down and give a bad or false impression, which reflects on the work we do.

One place that is noticed immediately, in any office or public place of work, is the commercial carpet.  A part of the buildings furnishing which receives the highest volume of traffic, muddy boots and shoes with a constant flow of traffic.  In our homes, we able to control people wearing shoes but in schools and offices, it's another matter.

I just wanted to show you these photographs, from a recent visited to a local school, to show just how bad the carpets can get.

But with a regular cleaning maintenance schedule, you will be able to keep high volume of mess and dirt on carpets to a minimum.  And if looks like it might be too much work for a small team of cleaners, then you can always call for the cleaning experts, such as the Art of Clean.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

CLEANING PRODUCTS

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Are you curious about our cleaning process?

Art of Clean, Cambridge (UK) are THE specialists when it comes to rug and carpet cleaning and while it's nice to praise ourselves and occasionally, allow you to do the same, every once in a while, we think it might be fun for you to see a little behind the scenes.

So, here are our steps...well, the initial steps, can't reveal all the trade secrets in one go can we?

Step 1: Take one scruffy rug and lay on a surface that will allow for said 'scruff' or dirt to fall free from the rug.

Step 2: Take one Badger...but not just any badger, you'll need a shiny, red one. The black and white one can just hang out in the woods.

image found on flickr.com

Step 3: Run over the rug, repeatedly (see why we use a red badger?). This process frees the vast majority or dirt and dust from your rug and then allows us to move on to the secret part of the process...OK, we wash it, there, you happy, I told you.

Here's our reveal shot, showing the dust accumulated on the concrete floor. It's pretty impressive, isn't it.

Then some poor mug has to sweep-up...usually Gavin.

This is a recent video we shot, highlighting the need to have your rug washed every 1-2 years at the least. Constant wear, especially when the rug or carpet is in a "high-traffic" area (not the M11); like an entrance or hallway, leads to grime build-up. Then it's time for the professionals, or a burly fella with a very big stick, you choose.

Don't forget, it's always best to hire the BEST.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

Why employ Art of Clean?

When you hire Art of Clean you get something you don't with other companies. Sure, you get professionalism, although, there's probably a little more with us. Yes, you get prompt, courteous service. You also get dedication and knowledge. But what other carpet cleaning, rug washing, wood floor sanding, stone buffing services don't have is...Gavin.

They don't have Nathan.

They definitely don't have Ben

or Pierre 

He goes a long way to help.

They don't have Gail, Laurence or Louise (group Charlie's Angels pose to come ;-)

In fact, other cleaning companies fail completely when providing a team of dedicated, hard working, fun people.

We're so happy with our team, that we even named a bunch of our offers after them. So, for a free quote from Gail or Laurence and for a professional, fun cleaning from the lads, all you need do is call.

We're here to help and even if you just have a small housekeeping question, our staff can help with a quick fix for your stain removal requirements.

Art of Clean is a specialist cleaning firm in: 

Wood Floor Sanding,

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information on our services contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or email us at info@artofclean.co.uk

What is carpet shampoo and does it work?

Carpet shampoos have a foaming agent in them that, when sprayed over the carpet, are intended to foam through the carpet fibers and break down the dirts bond with the fibers.  Anionic detergents in carpet shampoos are used to break the electrostatic bonds that the dirt has created with the carpet fibers.  The foam is then worked into the carpet before being left to dry and vacuumed away, or suctioned away with water.

Cylindrical Foam machine: This device produces dry foam using an air compressor.  This is then worked into the carpet with the cylindrical brush, the foam is left to dry, and then the carpet needs a thorough vacuum.  The issue is that much of the dirt stays stuck in the fibers, and this process does not draw up the debris from deep within the carpet.

The Rotary machine:  The foam is sprayed onto the carpet before the rotary brush agitates the shampoo into a foam, working it into the fibers.  This works the solution into the fibers more successfully, however there is massive potential for carpet damage - carpet fiber manufactures discourage the use of such machines as they believe the brushed will damage the carpet fibers, particularly cut pile carpets - which are the most common carpet type.  There is also a common issue with over wetting of the carpet, leading to problems such as shrinkage and mold.

Portable home use carpet cleaner

Portable carpet cleaners has two functions.  Firstly, by holding a button in, you release the hot water and shampoo solution to wet the carpet whilst it is agitated by the rotary bristles. Then, upon release of the button, the moisture and any loosened dirt are sucked back into the machine.  There is a major issue with over wetting the carpets if the machine is not strong enough.  There is also a high tendency to over mixing the shampoo meaning a lot of residual shampoo is left in the carpet.

The major issue with all carpet shampoos is the residual solution left on the fibers, this tends to be a sticky residue that will cause faster resoiling.  To counter this issue some carpet shampoo makers include resin in the shampoo as an "anti-resoiling" agent.

Another commonly used additive in carpet cleaning shampoo is "optical brightener", this attaches to the carpet fibers and works by converting invisible ultraviolet light into visible light so that the carpet appears brighter....because carpet shampoo is not very effective at actually removing dirt this is a cunning way to make the carpet appear cleaner for time.  This chemical, however, eventually yellows the carpet which is a permanent stain.

What do the professionals say?

Professional carpet cleaners tend to stay away from carpet shampoos, and the types of machinery described above.  Most professional carpet cleaners now opt for the Hot Water Extraction system.  Most choose to use little or no chemicals as the pressure and heat of the hot water extraction system works so effectively at removing the dirt lodges within the fibers - even down in the depths of the carpet fibers.  The powerful system quickly extracts the dirt and moisture so that the carpets dry more quickly.

Art of Clean are specialists in: 

Carpet Cleaning,

Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning, 

Hardwood Floor Cleaning, 

Stone floor Cleaning,

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information about our services please contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or visit www.artofclean.co.uk.

Men botch cleaning to avoid doing chores according to new research

" No surprises there!" I hear the ladies shout

Sourced from: http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk

New research has revealed that almost a third of men in Lincolnshire deliberately do a bad cleaning job to avoid being asked to do it again in the future.

Compiled by bathroom retailer Victoria Plumb, the statistics show that cleaning the bath and shower, washing up and even hanging clothes out to dry are among the chores men are most likely to botch.

Despite this, two thirds of women don’t trust their partner to do the cleaning anyway, with 60 per cent even claiming they would rather their other half left it to them to take care of.

From the 2,000 Brits surveyed by Victoria Plumb, the majority of men found their plan worked with one in four saying they never get asked to help out and 64 per cent saying they now only get the occasional request from their significant other.

Adam Chard, bathroom specialist from Victoria Plumb, said: “Most men will admit they don’t always pull their weight when it comes to the cleaning, but it’s worrying to see so many purposely do a bad job and spending more time on their smartphones while on the loo.

“No one enjoys cleaning, especially the most hated chores like cleaning the bathroom, and it’s likely that your partner wants to avoid having to do it as much as you do,” he added.

We have to say though, when you pay a man to do a job he will all of a sudden be able to do it rather well!  They say an electricians house is the worst wired, and a mechanics car is the worst maintained!

Thankfully for us our team of gentlemen do a fantastic job and we are very pleased with their work.... so we'd like to say to their wives and girlfriends ~ Your floors may never get sanded, and those carpet stains will be there for a while....we're sorry for that!

Art of Clean are specialists in: 

Hardwood Floor Cleaning, 

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,
Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning,

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information about our services please contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or visit www.artofclean.co.uk.

 

 

 

Last minute Christmas cleaning

With only days to go until Christmas there's still so much to do!

Presents to wrap, food to prepare, we're running out of time to get the house cleaned thoroughly!

The key to last minute cleaning is to plan your attack so that you make the most of your time.

Focus on the main rooms-

• If they are just over for the day give your lounge a quick dust and hoover, de-clutter by throwing everything unwanted into a wash basket and put it in your room - you can deal with this at a later date.  Plump the cushions on the sofas and chairs, if you have pets give the upholstery a once over with a lint roller, your guests will notice if you haven't done this, but they won't think twice if you have.
• Give the bathroom or downstairs toilet a quick once over, put out fresh towels and plenty of toilet roll. Open windows to air
• De-clutter the kitchen counter and table tops - put things away in a cupboard and deal with them later.  Give the counter, table and floor a quick clean
• People staying over? This can be a little tricky as usually the spare room builds up a lot of lost property over the year and becomes a general storage space.  Again, throw things in your own room, guests shouldn't venture there.  Open the windows to let some fresh air in whilst you dust and hoover.

Some more handy tips:

• Use mood lighting - It will add atmosphere and guests are less likely to see anything you missed!
• Stains on carpet? Throw a rug over it for now and get it sorted after Christmas - there may be further stains to deal with by that point anyhow!
• Put out flowers - Some pretty flowers will catch your guests eye and make a great distraction

Art of Clean are specialists in: 

Hardwood Floor Cleaning, 

Stone floor Cleaning,

Carpet Cleaning,
Rug Cleaning,

Upholstery Cleaning 

Leather Furniture Cleaning,

Working for domestic or commercial clients throughout Cambridgeshire, Essex, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

For more information about our services please contact our friendly team on 01223 863632 or visit www.artofclean.co.uk.