Favorite Articles

One of the most difficult stains to remove from delicate textiles is wine. Wine, as well as other substances such as coffee and tea, can create stubborn stains that can be very challenging . . . So, Simply Put - - Absolutely Don't Over Promise! - - There is nothing a customer resents more than a company not delivering what was discussed, agreed upon, and expected. However, like it or not, most of the time it's our salespersons, technicians, (or owner - managers) who are setting the customer expectations too high, not the customer!...keep reading

Based on this information, how should you use the products that are EPA approved as recommended?
First, it's important to understand that while you can purchase a product called a disinfectant, that product cannot disinfect any textile (upholstery, rugs, carpet, etc). However, an EPA registered disinfectant may also have label directions for the product to work on textiles as a sanitizer-.
What is a Sanitizer:...keep reading

The fact is that cleaning code tags very rarely reflect an accurate assessment of a fabric's cleanability, and if cleanable, even more rarely is it factual that the fabric can only be dry cleaned! While they are primarily there for the instruction of the owner of the furniture to guide them in cleaning care, those individuals often believe a cleaner should follow those tags. Most cleaners believe this too!...keep reading

Whether you are a fine fabric cleaning specialist being called upon to clean fire or water damaged upholstery, or are a disaster restoration company that offers content as well as structural restoration, you will find high value fabrics that need to be restored to "pre-loss" condition....keep reading

I remember years ago a student telling me the reason he was taking the Carpet Repair and Reinstallation Technician (RRT) class was because he was tired of walking over money. I had never looked at it that way before. How much money do YOU "walk over"?...keep reading

Our readers frequently ask me, "What marketing tool do you think is the most effective?" Is it direct mail, web sites, referrals, or publicity? Maybe cable TV?
My answer is . . . NONE OF THESE! . . . You've got to get out of the commodity business!...keep reading

Few "first time customers" understand the value of cleaning, and more often than not ask cleaners to restore fabrics that have been allowed to go far too long without maintenance. Letting your customer know that your ability to find the balance between the results the customer wants and the your ability to get those results safely sometimes requires diplomacy skills....keep reading

Most water stains of this type encountered by cleaners are seen on white and light colored fabric. . . . However, when water marks occur on multi-colored fabrics fabrics, the cause may be very different!
While sizing, cellulose browning, and even soil may still show as a darker ring on deeply dyed or multi-color fabrics, in many cases the material causing the stain is actually dye!...keep reading

One of the most common reasons that a consumer will call a fine fabric specialist for upholstery cleaning services is because of the presence of a spot. The call might come in for "cleaning", but "BEWARE", the reason that the customer is compelled to make the call is often an unsightly spot, (or spots)....keep reading

Upholstery that has been exposed to minor pet "accidents" rarely give off odor, but as the warm and (in many regions) humid, weather begins, such odors become more apparent.
Most services who clean upholstery are primarily carpet cleaners, making it easy to assume that the products and techniques that we use to clean carpet should be the same.
Such Is Not The Case!...keep reading

|IMAGE1|As fine fabric specialists, we should be constantly aware as to whether our cleaning process might affect the color, texture, and useable life of the material....keep reading

. . . . this is an appalling problem that continues to afflict our industry because of a poor understanding of the very basics of properly cleaning natural fibers by many of today's cleaning technicians, as well as the tendency for consumers to allow their furniture to become excessively soiled before calling a cleaning professional to care for them!...keep reading

A close examination of today's market place indicates very clearly that large and small trends affect small independent businesses such as ours very differently than it does our large competitors. Here are six trends affecting the small independent today as I see it....keep reading

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What would you do if you were asked to clean a piece of furniture with antique or heirloom value? In cases where items you are asked to clean may be very valuable, and/or very delicate and easily damaged, your cleaning processes can be altered considerably, and in such cases you will be cleaning to preserve the fabrics structural integrity and overall original appearance instead of attempting removal of all soil and stains....keep reading

To Our Valued Customers -- We Are Open For Business!
We are considered by the State of Pennsylvania, to be an 'Essential Business' in the supply chain, and we're open to provide your cleaning, restoration, remediation and maintenance needs.
While we remain open for business, the safety of our customers, employees, and instructors is always our first concern. For this reason, we have taken precautionary measures and postponed all classes here at Pembertons indefinitely....keep reading

The challenge to the upholstery cleaner is that most carpet deodorization processes require a great deal of water to remove the source of the odor and to deliver the deodorizing treatment to the contaminated area. To prevent these problems in treating upholstery fabrics......keep reading

The spikes in community-acquired infections such as Ebola, Enterovirus D68, colds, and the flu, means that some of your customers, including building executives and occupants are looking to you to offer solutions to protect them from a growing list of public outbreaks....keep reading

I received this very timely article this week and recommend you share it with your employees and customers. - Lee Pemberton. Technical Tips and Updates From: Legend Brands - Dri-Eaz, ProRestore, Sapphire 5-23-2011. Review: Remember What Makes Flood Waters So Dangerous....keep reading

"Serum Systems" takes the process of 'mold damage remediation' to the latest cutting edge technology. They design products to eliminate as much labor as possible to accomplish the desired results -- complete organic cleaning....keep reading