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Everyone Says Truck Mount Steam Cleaning… But What Exactly Is It?

You have probably heard from a friend or in your research of Carpet Cleaning companies, that you should hire a Truck Mount Carpet Cleaner. The word Truck Mount is actually exceptionally vague as to what exactly it is.

What Is A Truck Mount Carpet Cleaning Machine?

A Truck Mount is anything that can be mounted in a Cargo Van and hoses ran from the van inside your home. I have seen some cleaners mount their portable machines in the van and call it a Truck Mount. In this sense it’s very important to know exactly what kind of unit the carpet cleaner has and what it is capable of doing.

In my mind a Truck Mount should be able to produce 220 degrees of heat to properly clean the carpet. It should also have a powerful vacuum and large gas powered engine. Some cleaners will pass of lesser equipment as being “good enough” or the “best in the world” but they never truly made the investment in really good Carpet Cleaning Equipment.

What Does UpFront Home Services Use?

Our Truck Mounts are true Truck Mounts in that we have invested in equipment that will clean at 220 degrees, properly extract the dirty water, and have extremely powerful engines.

In fact our CDS -Xdrive is the only one of its kind in Texas! Why is that? Because we made a significant investment in the future of our company and the quality of the cleaning our customers receive. Our other units are made by Sapphire Scientific and they are top quality 220 degree steam cleaning monsters. You can rest assured that the quality of our equipment is the absolute best for cleaning your homes textiles.

At UpFront Home Services we provide Professional Truck Mount Carpet Cleaning Services In Katy and the entire Houston area! Check out our Carpet Cleaning Service Here

Need An Honest UpFront Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Katy? Because of quality education. The Katy Independent School District is one of the best school districts in the entire state of Texas. We don’t only service Katy but we also service the entire Houston area. Want to learn more about the City of Katy Click Here

Meet Shirley… The Reason I Clean My Carpet Every 3 Months

Meet Shirley. Shirley is a feisty and loving little Shitzu. My toddler loves Shirley. My wife loves Shirley. I love Shirley.

What I don’t love is that she has the blaster the size of a peanut. I have to constantly let her out and go on walks with her to try to prevent the inevitable “accident” at least that’s what Shirley calls it… I call it her being jealous that we have bathrooms and she doesn’t have one. No she’s sent into the elements to use her “bathroom”… I can’t say I blame her with how wet and cold it’s been lately.

Perhaps winter is simply the time of year that “accidents” happen. Either way we clean the carpet at our house every 3 months to keep it smelling and looking it’s freshest. Yes, I even use the same enzymes and pet treatments in my home that we use in yours. In fact, there isn’t a product on our trucks that hasn’t been tested and Shirley approved.

Why is that? I believe that it’s my responsibility to know how effective a product truly is and to never use our customers as a guinea pig.

We offer a FREE Pet Enzyme Treatment as an option for Pet Odors and Stains. We also have our Kill Odor Plus Treatment for a more aggressive Pet Odor Treatment.

Have your Carpet Cleaned this week and I’ll give you a discount of $20 off our 3 Room Special if you mention Shirley when you schedule!

Call Or Text Janet At (832)303-3546
She’s our super friendly and always polite customer service provider.

Schedule Online 24/7 At
www.BookMyClean.com

2018 Angie’s List Super Service Award Winner

UpFront Home Services Earns 2018 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service

Katy, TX of 22518 Belmont Cove Lane, 1/20/19 – UpFront Home Services is proud to announce that it has earned the home service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award (SSA). This award honors service professionals who have maintained exceptional service ratings and reviews on Angie’s List in 2018.

“Service pros that receive our Angie’s List Super Service Award represent the best  in our network, who are consistently making great customer service their mission,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “These pros have provided exceptional service to our members and absolutely deserve recognition for the exemplary customer service they exhibited in the past year.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2018 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include maintaining an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade and review period grade. The SSA winners must be in good standing with Angie’s List and undergo additional screening.

“We are humbled and honored to have received this prestigious award once again. It means a lot to us to be consistently ranked as one of the best cleaning services in Houston.” said Joseph Pais Owner of UpFront Home Services.

UpFront Home Services has been listed on Angie’s List since 2013. This is the 6th year UpFront Home Services has received this honor.

Service company ratings are updated continually on Angie’s List as new, verified consumer reviews are submitted. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in multiple fields ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

For over two decades Angie’s List has been a trusted name for connecting consumers to top-rated service professionals. Angie’s List provides unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

Are Carpets Bad For Your Allergies?

I am often asked “Are Carpets Bad For Your Allergies?” The answer is Carpets are great for your allergies. Carpet is your homes largest filter, it holds the particles that would otherwise be in the air. So like your AC your Carpet needs to be maintained through regular steam cleaning. 

Swedish Study On Carpet Usage and Allergies

This is a study that debunks the claims in Sweden that Carpet causes allergic reactions in some people. By the year 1992 the amount of carpet decreased to about 2% but as you can see the amount of allergic reactions increased tremendously as the amount of carpet decreased. 

Should You Remove Your Carpet?

I’ve heard many a Doctor argue for removal of Carpet if you are an allergy sufferer. The Doctor pitching removal of the carpet would be wrong to make this recommendation. There is simply no scientific study that proves that Carpet is somehow associated with allergies and asthma. In fact there are studies that prove that no relationship exists between allergies and having Carpet other than that it’s better for you to have carpet than not have it.

Keep Your Carpet Clean!

If you’re an Allergy or Asthma sufferer it’s important to keep your carpet clean. I recommend vacuuming weekly and steam cleaning your carpet every 3 months. When cleaning your carpet I highly recommend using a cleaner that offers Fragrance Free Cleaning that uses botanical ingredients. Having your carpet cleaning done with organic cleaning products is especially important when you are an Allergy or Asthma sufferer. Why? Because carpet cleaning products used by low price or franchise carpet cleaners are typically riddled with Butyl and Fragrances. These types of products tend to cause allergies and asthma to flair up.

Why Use UpFront Home Services To Clean Your Carpet?

At UpFront Home Services we use Organic and Green Carpet Cleaning products to clean your homes Carpets and Rugs. Other cleaners skimp on quality products because they simply don’t want or can’t afford to spend more money for specialty products. 

At UpFront Home Services we provide Professional Steam Cleaning Services In Katy and the entire Houston area! Check out our Carpet Cleaning Service Here

Need An Honest UpFront Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do love Katy? Because of Pappa Gyros! We LOVE Pappa Gyros Italian Beef Sandwich! They have the absolute best Greek in Katy and possibly Houston (according to yelp they are amongst the top 100 restaurants in America)… We service the entire Houston area. Want to learn more about the City of Katy Click Here

We were Voted Best of Katy For Carpet Cleaning For 2018!

Voted Best Of Katy For Carpet Cleaning 2018

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Upfront Home Services Receives 2018 Best of Katy Award

Katy Award Program Honors the Achievement

KATY October 21, 2018 — Upfront Home Services has been selected for the 2018 Best of Katy Award in the Carpet Cleaners category by the Katy Award Program.

Each year, the Katy Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Katy area a great place to live, work and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2018 Katy Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Katy Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Katy Award Program

The Katy Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Katy area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Katy Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Katy Award Program

What Is The Best Way To Clean Carpet?

The best way to clean carpet is with Hot Water Extraction also known as Truck Mount Steam Cleaning. There are several other methods that could potentially be used but for Residential Carpet Cleaning I highly recommend the use of Hot Water Extraction.

In fact, hot water extraction or Truck Mount Steam Cleaning is what most carpet manufacturers require you use to keep your carpets warranty in tact.

Did You Know…

To maintain your warranty you must be able to show proof of periodic Steam Cleaning by a professional carpet cleaning service. A minimum of one cleaning every two years is required. Depending on the size of your family, the amount of traffic your carpet gets, soiling conditions, and other potential issues may require more frequent cleanings.

You Read That Right… Steam Cleaning!

No other method other than Steam Cleaning is recommended by Shaw (one of the largest carpet manufacturers in the world). That’s a pretty big deal when determining the best way to clean your carpet.

Carpet Warranties

That said I’m not a believer in Carpet Warranties. I do believe that they have their place in protecting consumers but in my opinion these are rarely honored and are tough to maintain. I’ve seen some circumstances where the Warranty company will require more than just a receipt but also what chemicals were used during the cleaning, what type and brand of Truck Mount was used, if the steam cleaner was certified, and the list goes on and on..

Bottomline: if you have any intention of keeping your carpet over the long term then you should clean regularly using Steam Cleaning.

At UpFront Home Services we provide Professional Steam Cleaning Services In Katy and the entire Houston area! Check out our Carpet Cleaning Service Here

Need An Honest UpFront Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Katy? Because of the great BBQ! We LOVE Brett’s BBQ! They have the absolute best BBQ in Katy and possibly Houston (their Beef Rib is phenomenal)… We service the entire Houston area. Want to learn more about the City of Katy Click Here

5 Things To Do Before Moving Into A New Construction Home

Buying a new home is exciting. It’s like when you get a new car except with this car you get to live in it (in a good not sad way) and you get to show it off to your friends. I have personally been providing floor cleaning and polishing services to homes since 2003 (16 years and counting) and here are the not so Glamorous things to do before moving into your new home.

5 Things To Do Before Moving Into A New Construction Home

Grout Sealing Is A Must

A majority of builders do not include sealing your freshly installed Grout. This is for a variety of reasons that boil down to not wanting to be responsible or have any warranty calls regarding spills and stains. For the builder it makes total sense, for you the New Construction Home Owner it totally stinks.

It’s always best to Seal the Grout prior to moving in because its easier for the technicians to get to every inch. It also means you shouldn’t need to have a Professional Tile and Grout Cleaning prior to the sealing.

As far as the grade of Sealer is concerned I recommend using a Solvent Based Impregnating Grout Sealer for the Floors, Showers, Back splash, and basically any conceivable place there is Grout in the Home. I personally prefer this grade of sealer but it is for professional use only. I have seen many a DIY nightmare trying to Seal the Grout with the wrong Solvent Sealer. Using a water based grout sealer is an option as well. A water based grout sealer is great for Floor Grout but doesn’t provide the same coverage level in a shower that a Solvent will. I find cleaning and re-application with a water based grout sealant in the showers to be much more frequent than with a Solvent based sealer.

The Builder Usually Doesn’t Seal Your Granite or Marble Countertops… So You Should

Its a dirty secret that the builder avoids talking about or offering sealing of your Granite or Marble Countertops. Marble Counterops are especially susceptible to staining and etching, so providing a very thorough application of Impregnating Sealer is extremely important. I have seen many a Marble Counter that’s brand new and covered in etch marks. Bottomline is protect your investment by Sealing so that you don’t have to Polish to Restore.

Apply Carpet Stain Protector

Newly installed carpet has a form of Carpet Protection already in place fresh from the factory. The problem is that it’s not a very good one and it doesn’t protect from dyes. Having a carpet protector applied that contains acid dye blockers will help keep your carpet from getting permanent red stains.

It’s also important to apply Carpet Stain Protector because it will help fight against permanent traffic lane damage. Traffic lane damage is caused by inconsistent vacuuming and irregular cleanings. When your carpet is it’s newest is the time to take advantage and protect and consistently have it cleaned and re-protected after each cleaning.

Install A Water Softener

I highly recommend having a water softener installed in your new home prior to moving in. The reason why is because it will help keep your shower tile and grout, bathroom floors, and your shower glass from developing hard water stains. If you can’t afford a water softener right away, I recommend cleaning your shower once a week. If you keep up with consistently cleaning your shower tile and grout and shower glass, you will be amazed with how long it will look like new.

Start A Regular Maintenance Schedule

When you keep something clean from the beginning it keeps you from needing restoration services in the future. I recommend vacuuming the carpet at least 1 time per week, using a daily shower cleaner (method makes an awesome one) and deep cleaning once a week, utilizing a steam mop for the floors or a flat head mop with Zep Neutral Floor Cleaner weekly, wiping your granite or marble countertops down weekly with Crystal Clean by Stonepro, and of course steam cleaning the carpets at least 2 times per year.

Some of this maintenance schedule can be increased due to pets or kids, but the rule of thumb is to clean at a minimum of once per week. Consistent maintenance will keep your home looking as beautiful as it did the first day you moved in.

At UpFront Home Services we offer Grout Sealing, Granite Countertop Sealing, Marble Countertop Sealing, Carpet Stain Protector Application, Tile and Grout Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning, and so much more throughout the Entire Katy and Houston Area.

Need An Honest UpFront Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Houston? The professional sports teams are just so good. Getting to catch a Rockets Game or go to minute maid and watch the Astros play is just awesome. As an Aggie there are just so many other Aggies here and that just makes you feel at home. Learn more about the City of Houston here

How Do I Get Dried Slime Out Of Carpet?

Kids will be Kids right? Slime happens? Slime gone wild? Whatever your situation is getting dried slime out of carpet is possible! Virtually any stain can be removed from carpet, even slime. 

How Do I Get Dried Slime Out Of Carpet?

Vinegar… lots and lots of Vinegar. About 2/3 of a bucket of white vinegar to 1/3 of a bucket of warm water. Apply your mix liberally and take a soft brush to gently loosen the slime from the carpet. Use clean and dry white terry towels to blot the slime dry. If the slime doesn’t come up all the way on the first try, try again. Once your carpet is dry, vacuum the area.

At UpFront Home Services we provide Carpet Cleaning Service In Katy and the entire Houston area! Check out our Carpet Cleaning Service Here

Need A Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Katy? Katy has a small town feel with big city amenities. The people are friendly in Katy and it’s a great location to service the Entire Houston Area. Want to learn more about the City of Katy Click Here! You can also give us a call today for carpet cleaning in Spring, TX

What is Bait and Switch Carpet Cleaning?

So you’re scrolling through a magazine or you see an ad on Facebook or Google for Carpet Cleaning. The deal is unbelievable! 3 Rooms for only $69! Maybe it’s a whole house of carpet cleaning for $99. Whatever it is, it’s just too good to be true. 

I hate saying this but, as consumers we are taught to focus on one thing PRICE. For every carpet cleaning horror story you hear, there is a consumer that looked to hire CHEAP and got what they paid for. But what do I mean by this? I’m talking about Bait and Switch Carpet Cleaning Companies.

What Is Bait and Switch Carpet Cleaning?

Bait and Switch Carpet Cleaning is when you hire a company to come in and clean your carpet but they don’t include the basic things necessary to clean your carpet. A good example of this is when a company doesn’t include pre-spotting / pre-treating the carpet for the spots and general soiling. Sometimes they even sell you on using a Truck Mount vs using a portable. Often times their portable equipment is the Rug doctor that you could’ve just rented.

It Happens More Often Than You Think…

Recently I was scrolling through Google and came across an Ad for $69 Carpet Cleaning of 3 rooms. As a professional carpet cleaner I know better than to trust this price but I figured I’d check it out. The company has a long stream of good reviews but quite a few negative reviews sprinkled in with Bait and Switch tactics as I expected.

How To Avoid Bait and Switch Carpet Cleaners

  • Always Ask What Is Included In The Price

Companies that Bait and Switch will mention steam cleaning or hot water extraction but never commit to any type of pre-treatment.

  • Always ask if they will be pre-treating your spots and stains

A shady company will completely dodge this question and move on to trying to schedule you without ever answering the question.

  • Make sure they use truck mounted equipment.

Specific equipment to want in your home is made by Hydramaster, Prochem, and Sapphire Scientific. These companies product the best equipment for Carpet Cleaning. A bait and switch company will either not say what they use or not commit to what they use by saying the use both portables and truck mounts.

Bottom line: If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Reading reviews can be helpful but it’s definitely not the only factor to keep in mind. A company that sells low priced carpet cleaning that only includes water is one to avoid. 

At UpFront Home Services we provide Professional Carpet Cleaning Services without the Bait and Switch In Katy and the entire Houston area! Check out our Carpet Cleaning Service Here

Need An Honest UpFront Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Why do we love Katy? Personally I love the Katy School System. Katy has one of the fastest growing districts in Texas and provides an excellent education. We service the entire Katy / Houston area. Want to learn more about the City of Katy Click Here

How To Get Old Pet Urine Stains and Smells Out Of Carpet

The first step to get old pet urine stains and smells out of carpet is to identify where the odor is coming from. A lot of times homeowners think that their dog doesn’t pee inside the house because they don’t see it. But then the weather changes and the pet urine smell starts to really show up. The problem is not all pet urine stains stick out as much as others do.

Here’s How To Get Old Pet Urine Stains and Smells Out Of Carpet

Use a Ultraviolet Light For Urine Detection

https://youtu.be/D6ET_WMHPsU

The easiest way to find out where your pet has been urinating is to breakout a UV light. The UV light will make the urine glow so that you can pinpoint where the issues are. I suggest going to Lowe’s and picking up a cheap little uv light to do this. Remember to not shine the light in your eyes and close the blinds and curtains if possible.

This Is What You Will Need To Treat The Pet Urine Smell

A quality pet enzyme treatment, wet vacuum, and a subsurface extraction tool will provide the absolute best results. A syringe can also be a helpful tool to spread the enzyme deeper into the padding. You can get away with not using a subsurface Extraction tool or a syringe if the urine has gone to far into the padding. With odor once you have identified its source you must eliminate the bacteria that is causing the smell. The Enzyme Treatment is designed to eliminate the odor by digesting the bacteria causing the odor. 

Apply Pet Enzyme Treatment

Generously apply the Pet Enzyme Treatment to the urine stain. If possible use a syringe to directly inject the enzyme into the padding. Allow the enzyme to sit for 30 minutes.

Flush with Water and Extract

Flush the pet urine stain with water and extract. A subsurface Extraction tool comes in handy here because it makes it easier to remove the moisture from the padding. 

Set An Air Mover For Drying

If possible set an Air Mover To Dry the air as quickly as possible. The amount of water necessary to flush a urine stain can be significant. Make sure to run fans and your heater when treating urine stains. By doing this you will have your carpet dry in no time.

The Pet Urine Stains Are Still Present

If the stains persist I recommend using an industrial Peroxide to remove them. I highly recommend Stain 1 by Pros Choice. It’s safe and does an excellent job at removing old dog urine stains. 

If The Smell Persists This Is What You Should Do

If the smell persists you may need to remove and replace the padding and potentially treat and seal the sub floor. Before you do that I would call a Professional Carpet Cleaning Company for help. Finding a Pet Urine Stain and Odor removal specialist is crucial to protecting your investment.

Pet Urine stains and odors can be difficult to remove. When you’re in a bind and don’t have the time, tools, or you simply want a specialist just give us a call.

At UpFront Home Services we provide Professional Carpet Cleaning Services In Katy and the entire Houston area! Check out our Carpet Cleaning Service Here

Need A Quote? Give us a call at (832)303-3546 for a FREE Estimate and to check availability

UpFront Home Services

Call or Text (832)303-3546

www.UpFrontHomeServices.com

Some Fun Facts about Houston Texas:

 —  Houston is the 4th Largest City in the United States

 —  The Houston Rodeo is one of the largest Rodeos in the world

 —  The Galleria is the Largest Shopping mall in Texas

 —  Houston is where the first Domed Stadium was built

Want to learn more about the City of Houston Click Here

You can also call us today for Carpet Cleaning in Spring, TX!