Author Archives: Mike
Just a reminder of the areas we cover
We gladly provide our top notch carpet cleaning, tile stone and grout restoration and oriental rug cleaning services to all of Santa Cruz county. Including the Summit area, all of Hwy 9, down south to Aromas and Corralitos and as far north as Swanton Rd/Davenport area.
We also travel to Los Gatos, Saratoga, San Jose and have been know to make the trip to Woodside and even San Francisco if the job is large enough.
We have regular clients in Salinas, Monterey and Carmel as well.
We ask that those outside of Santa Cruz county to please be patient and wait until we have two or more jobs in their area so as not to wast fuel and time.
Please call for information on minimum charges for your particular area.
Education—Is It Worth The Money?
Cleaning has historically been viewed as a
commodity—a menial task that anyone can do.
Long before sophisticated textiles and complex
built indoor environments were created,
cleaning may have been a simple, easy task,
but that is no longer the case. Complex flooring
systems, sensitive fabrics, and new age
soiling conditions have created a need for advance
education in the cleaning industry. Unfortunately,
many cleaners (and consumers)
have not understood this concept. We still see
the ads for $6.95 per room for carpet cleaning
and sofa cleaning for $45.00. The cleaner puts
the ads out, never intending on cleaning for
those prices, and the consuming public gets the
idea that cleaning should be cheap.
These so called “cleaning” companies also
happen to be the ones that don’t educate themselves
or their employees. The result is that
carpets and fabrics are being ruined every day
by uneducated, uninformed, and sometimes
downright unscrupulous carpet cleaners.
They are facing soiling conditions that they
have never seen or heard of due to a lack of
education. Or worse, they create a situation on
a carpet or fabric that they have no idea how to
fix. Some examples would be that they leave
sticky residues in the carpet that cause the carpet
or fabric to resoil rapidly or discolor.
Top notch education is readily available in our
industry. There is no excuse for cleaners not to
educate themselves (and provide useful education
to their clients). Part of the problem is since
they have fallen into the trap of viewing cleaning
as a commodity themselves, they can’t afford
to educate themselves. Education is expensive,
but the result of not getting the knowledge
necessary is much more costly.
Our company invests a great deal in education.
Not only do we spend thousands of dollars per
year on education, we are heavily involved in
our industry making us well connected with our
industry leaders. We also own a online cleaning community where thousands of cleaners gather on our “virtual” doorstep to discuss the very latest happenings in our field.
This way, if a unique situation arises in the
field, we have fellow veteran cleaners that we can connect with,
therefore bringing the cutting edge of cleaning
technology to you.
Our industry provides courses in carpet cleaning,
repair, fabric cleaning, marble and tile
cleaning, area rug cleaning, customer service,
marketing, management, and other related
courses.
Many of the organizations offer certification
programs that involve testing and ethics requirements. There are also Trade Journals and Online resources that can keep Carpet, Stone and Fabric cleaners abreast of the latest technologies, trends and “Trade Secrets”.
YELP!!!
If you found us on the internet and enjoyed our service please leave us a review on yelp.com
Click to go to our Yelp page
Renters got you down?
As any landlord can attest, college kids and surf rats just dont appreciate a clean carpet. They do their best to destroy YOUR carpet before you have to evict them. While we don’t clean short term rentals on the daily basis that some Santa Cruz carpet cleaners do, when we come across them, we are more than prepared to clean them into “rentable” condition again.
This poor carpet had not been vacuumed in over a year. The land lord went over it with their vacuum three times before we arrived and yet we still were able to remove over two containers like this from just the living room..
These cheap Bissell vacuums actually work really well.
This bed room had been heavily abused by Toonces the Surfing Cat.
With a combination of methods we got it looking and smelling real good.
We love a challenge so please let us tackle your next nightmare tenant’s “artwork”….
No Rug too big!
If your wool or synthetic area rug is too large to bring in for cleaning then let us clean it at your home or business location anywhere in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara. San Mateo or Monterrey counties
Here is a 40+ year old wool rug that sits on the 5th floor of the UCSF Medical Library in downtown San Francisco.
This was our 4th visit out to clean this rug and this time we spent an extra 2 days applying a new latex/mesh backing on it.
About 10 years ago they made the mistake of sending it out to be cleaned and the backing was heavily damaged in the move. Notice the thick wrinkles in the 3rd picture.
By applying a new backing after stretching out the wrinkles, followed by a thorough extraction cleaning we’ve added many more year of life to this old fellow.
Enjoy the pictures.
Forty feet by twenty feet
Drink spills galore!
These wrinkles are big enough to trip over.
28 gallons of latex to complete
Applying fresh latex to the backing to fix the wrinkles.
Where the wrinkles use to be!
After 3 days of hard work it's all done and looking great
Stone and Tile cleaning essentials.
Cleaning Procedures & Recommendations
General Cleaning Clean stone surfaces with a neutral cleaner designated safe for natural stone. Use a clean mop on floors and a soft cloth for other surfaces for best results. Don’t use more than the recommended amount of any cleaning product. Too much may leave a film, causing streaks. Change rinse water frequently. Do not use products that contain lemon juice, vinegar or other acids on marble, travertine or limestone as these can etch the surface of the stone. Do not use scouring powders or creams; these products contain abrasives that may scratch the surface. If you have large areas of stone, tile (or wood) in your home consider purchasing a Hoover Floormate Spinscrub 800. It’s a great tool for maintaining hard floors. It sprays scrubs and rinses will very little effort on your part and you won’t risk spreading dirty water around like mopping can. Walmart usually has the best price
Floor Surfaces Dust mop interior floors frequently using a clean non-treated dry dust mop. Sand, dirt and grit do the most damage to natural stone surfaces due to their abrasiveness. Mats or area rugs inside and outside an entrance will help to minimize the sand, dirt and grit that can scratch a stone floor. Be sure that the underside of the mat or rug is a non-slip surface. Do not use vacuum cleaners that are worn as the metal or plastic attachments may scratch the surface. You will want a vacuum that lets you shut off the brush roll so grit &dust dost not get scattered.
Counter/Vanity Top Surfaces Clean your countertops daily with a soft cloth or paper towel and a residue free pH neutral cleaner designated safe for natural stone. We recommend Trader Joe’s Multi Purpose Cleaner, Stone Tech’s Revitalizer from most tile shops and Zep Neutral pH floor cleaner from Home Depot.
Bath and Other Wet Areas In the bath/ shower or other wet areas, soap scum can be minimized by using a squeegee after each use. Installing a water softener in your home will help tremendously as well. We recommend the use of Magic Al’s Non Acid Soap Scum Remover to clean all stone and tile shower stalls.
For hard water spots/build up glass and granite we recommend Magic Al’s Glass and Metal Magic. You’ll find a ton of uses for this great product. Magic Al products can be found in the cleaning supply section@ www.groundfloor.org
Outdoor Pool & Patio Areas In outdoor pool, patio or hot tub areas sweep often flush with clear water and use a mild bleach solution to remove algae or moss. Neutral pH detergents can be used sparingly but take care to make sure they do not enter any waterways. Hydrogen Peroxide can be sprayed on organic stains. Apply a good amount over the spot and let it dry naturally, several applications may be necessary.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do dust mop floors frequently.
- Do clean surfaces with a neutral stone cleaner.
- Do thoroughly rinse and dry the surface after washing.
- Do blot up spills and cooking oils immediately.
- Do protect floor surfaces with non-slip mats or area rugs and counter top surfaces with coasters, trivets or placemats, particularly under those containing alcohol or citrus juices. Many common foods and drinks contain acids that will etch or dull the stone surface.
- Don’t place hot items directly on the stone surface. Use trivets or mats under hot dishes and placemats under china, ceramics, silver or other objects that can scratch the surface.
- Don’t use vinegar, lemon juice or other cleaners containing acids on marble, limestone, travertine or concrete surfaces.
- Don’t use cleaners that contain acid such as bathroom cleaners, grout cleaners or tub & tile cleaners.
- Don’t use abrasive cleaners such as dry cleansers or soft cleansers.
- Don’t mix bleach and ammonia; this combination creates a toxic and lethal gas.
Stain Treatment and Other Issues
If possible, immediately blot spills with a clean paper towel. If something has soaked into the stone and stained it, a poultice may need to be applied. 40 Volume peroxide (hair developer) available at a beauty supply shop can be sprayed on stone to lighten organic stains such as coffee and wine Contact us for more details.
Sealing
We seal every stone that requires it after we clean it, but a reapplication needs to be done periodically. You can purchase a product and do it yourself, or contact us to perform the service for you.
No, we don’t do windows!
But we do rejuvenate a mean shower stall!
Deep cleaning, mold removal, re-grouting, stain removal, removal and replacement of caulk, grout or silicone and long lasting penetrative sealers.
Natural Stone, Ceramic or Porcelain, you name it, we can clean it.
Before-
After-
Before-
After-
Do you want “Perfect” grout?
I just can’t get over how well our Color Sealing process works.
This first picture is after a two step cleaning process using both alkaline and acidic cleaning agents. Sometimes light colored grout shows stains and other than removing the grout and replacing with new, color sealing is the only logical, effective and long lasting choice.
And this shot shows the same grout line with our “Color Seal” process applied.
And the nice things is, Color Sealed grout will not stain or absorb water or any other fluids. Under normal residential settings the seal should last ten years or more.
Seeing how it is acrylic based, you are now cleaning a plastic surface instead of concrete/grout so you can imagine just how easy and effective your future Saturday morning cleanings will be for you.
Here are some photos of a counter where the home owner attempted to use premixed grout to hide the coffee and oil stains. New grout will not stick to old grout with out the proper preparation as these photos clearly show.
We removed all the mess, steam cleaned it and then applied a Color Seal to make their conters look just about “Perfect”..
Give us a call if you’d like a free demonstration and estimate for your floor or counter tops restoration needs.
RIP Millie
We lost one of our best customers recently..
Millie was getting on in years and like most old dogs, they create reasons for us carpet cleaners to come visit them and their owners pretty often.
In Millie’s case (and her best friend, Abbey the Greyhound) those visits got to be so often that financially it became a real burden for her owners. Being the animal lovers that we are, we got her owners a great deal on a professional quality carpet and fabric spot cleaning machine. While I missed visiting Millie during her last days, I slept better knowing her parents would be able to clean up after her “on the spot”..
If you think you could use one of these machines, let us know.
What do these flooring retailers have in common?
San Lorenzo Floors/Abbey Carpet -Scotts Valley & Aptos
Floors Etc-Soquel
Mission Floors -Santa Cruz
Warehouse Direct Flooring Outlet- Santa Cruz
Rainbow Carpet -Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz Tile and Stone
Tile and Marble Outlet-Santa Cruz
They all have so much confidence in our ability to treat you and your floors so well that we are the only cleaning company in town that they refer to their clients.
These referrals are not paid for. The time it took to build the relation ships with these fine retailers did not happen over night. Most of these companies had been burned by other cleaners in the past so the trust they now have in us was not easily gained.
Over the past 8 years we have proven that cheap splash and dash carpet cleaning is really no bargain at all. What is a bargain is soft fluffy carpet that stays clean 3 to 4 times longer then those “coupon” companies who send out kids with 2 to 3 months of experience under their belts.
Or in the case of tile and stone cleaning, the proper use of cleaning agents and tools that will not harm the surface of your natural stone and delicate grout lines. You’d be amazed how the careless use of acids or too much water pressure can ruin a dirty floor
Our in depth knowledge of fiber types, cleaning agents, drying technology, the latest in methods and equipment and most importantly a passion for our work that just can not be touched
If you trusted one of these retailers to install your flooring, you can be sure trust them to refer you to a great cleaning company.
You Can Keep Your Home Free of Pet Odors
Pets are a source of companionship and joy for millions of us.
Understand how to help your pets stay healthy,clean and happy and your home will be fresher for it. There are two pet-related problems that can affect the freshness of your home and its furnishings. These are pet accidents, both urine and feces, and body oils. Knowing about them can make living with a pet an even more positive experience.
Hot steamy weather is the time you are most likely to notice pet odors. That’s when pet hair, skin dander, and the residue from “pet accidents” begin to decompose — generating a distinct “doggie” smell that plagues even the most fastidiously cleaned homes.
Dogs, especially, secrete oils from their fur and paw pads. Good grooming and baths keep this in check. Periodically launder your pet’s bedding. If your pet has a favorite spot on the floor or in a chair, you might want to put a pet blanket/rug or some other washable item there.
Pet accidents are always cause for concern. Animal behaviorists will tell you that by instinct pets are attentive to good hygiene. They don’t want to have accidents in their homes. When they do, it is usually because of some other factor. Perhaps the pet is sick. Perhaps the pet’s exercise schedule was interrupted or wasn’t long enough. Perhaps the litter box needs to be cleaned. Maybe the pet has been traumatized. It’s been recommended that the first thing to do when a pet unexplainably starts having accidents is to talk to your veterinarian.
As far as cleanup goes, you need to blot up as much of the problem as you can. If solids are involved, gently scrape it up with a bit of cardboard. Work from the outside toward the center. This is important: Don’t apply house cleaners to the site. Some of them can change the color, texture or stain resistance of the affected fibers. Some can leave strong smelling residues that serve as “marker” triggering further accidents from your pets. New safe-to-use enzyme products are available which do an excellent job of treating these problems areas.
Here’s How You Can Help Keep Your “Home-With-Pets” Clean and Fresh
- Act immediately when pet accidents occur. The longer the soil stands, the greater the chance it will seep through the carpet to the pad and floor.
- Remove as much moisture as possible by blotting the spot with a clean white absorbent material. The more moisture you remove now, the less residue has to be treated later. Using a clean white absorbent material lessens the risk of transferring dye between your cleaning material and your affected fabric. It also helps you to “see” if the stain is being successfully removed.
- If you catch the animal in the act, use a mixture of one part ammonia to three parts water. Spray it on thespot to neutralize the urine, let stand for five minutes, then flush with water and blot with a dry towel. If theurine spot is not fresh, use an enzyme to help kill the odor
- Call us. We are trained and equipped to thoroughly clean, disinfect and deodorize pet stains. We also stand behind our work.
Caring for your Oriental Rugs.
Oriental Rugs are not only a work of art but also an
investment, and with proper care, can last for generations.
Oriental rugs are generally made of wool. They are more
durable, resilient and stay cleaner than rugs made from
other fibers. By following these simple suggestions your
Oriental rug will provide you with many years of utility and
satisfaction. Beating is the traditional and the best method for cleaning a rug. The rug should be hung
outside in dry weather and beaten several times on each side with a paddle or beater. This dislodges any fine grit embedded in the rug.
Rotation. A rug should be rotated once every year or two
to ensure even wear. In higher traffic areas rotation should
be more frequent. Continual direct exposure to sunlight will
damage a rug, so frequent rotation of a rug will equalize the
effect of the sun. Use window shades, shutters or curtains
as often as possible to protect your rug from damaging ultra-violet rays.
This will also protect the colors from fading.
Padding. It is recommended to use a quality area rug padding under your rugs.
This will help protect them from dirt, wear and slippage, especially in heavy traffic
areas. The life of an Oriental rug can be doubled with the use of a good-quality padding.
Please contact Connoisseur with questions or to find out where to purchase quality area rug padding.
Vacuuming. Oriental rugs should be vacuumed regularly to remove dirt and grit that may damage the fibers and foundation of the rug. Vacuuming helps prevent dirt on the surface of the rug from filtering down into the pile where it can accumulate and cause increased
wear. Be careful with a vacuum equipped with a very stiff
power brush (Dyson in particular) as they create a raking effect on the pile and
can eventually weaken the knots or bloom the fiber. Be very careful with the
fringes as they can get caught and chewed up by the
rotating mechanism of the brush. Never vacuum against
the nap, as this presses dirt back into the rug.
Occasionally vacuum the back of the rug to remove the
fine grit that may damage the foundation of the rug.
Cleaning. Oriental rugs should be professionally
cleaned every one to two years, depending on the amount of traffic your rug
experiences. This will bring out the vibrancy and richness of color as well as the softness of the wool. You may wish to have seriously dirt embedded rugs brought to our plant for a mechanical dusting
Moth Protection. Moths can cause extensive damage to Oriental rugs by attacking the pile, fringes and the knots on the back of the rugs. Moths are especially attracted to areas under furniture that remain relatively undisturbed. Frequent rotation and regular exposure to light and air
will keep moths away. If your rugs are rarely used you
can safeguard against moths by having them professionally
cleaned and sprayed with a moth deterrent.
Storage. To store a rug, wrap it in fabric rather than
plastic. Fabric will allow it to breathe which prevents rot
or mildew. Placing the wrapped rug in a chest with a
moth deterrent is the ideal storage. A rug stored in a
damp or humid area will mildew, which will weaken and
discolor the fibers. Hot, poorly ventilated storage areas
will dry out the base of the rug, making it brittle, which
destroys the rug’s strength and durability. Remember to
inspect your area rugs regularly. If a your rug is under your regular dining room table or in your TV room it would probably be best for all involved to have us give it a onlocation cleaning at least once a year and a in plant cleaning every few years.
Professional Carpet Cleaning – How often is normal?
We are often asked, “How often shouldI have my carpets cleaned?” The truth is, there is no particular schedule. Cleaning
frequency really depends on the type of traffic you have on your carpet and how you maintain it. Some people can get by with professional cleanings every couple of years, while others need their carpets cleaned every three months or so.
Appearance alone should not be the determining factor when deciding when to clean your carpet. Today’s carpets are
engineered from the fiber up to hide soil. In fact, a tan, residential grade carpet can hide up to a pound of dirt per square foot before it becomes noticeably soiled! Once a carpet reaches this degree of soiling, it is not just in need of maintenance, but restoration as well.Commercial carpeting is often placed on a maintenance program where cleaning is scheduled before it reaches an unacceptable level.
Manufacturers are increasingly requiring that residential carpets be placed on a regular maintenance program as well. Soil, grit and grime in a carpet can work like tiny razor blades, slicing and dicing your carpet fibers, causing the to lose that “new” shimmer and taking years off their life. Carpet that is well maintained will wear longer and is less likely to contribute to indoor air pollution. Appearance, reduction of potentially unhealthy contamination that may accumulate
in the carpet, and manufacturers requirements to maintain your warranty should all be factors that help you decide how often to clean your carpeting. A “no shoes policy,” application of carpet protector, frequent thorough vacuuming, and spotting with a residue-free carpet spotter are all excellent ways for you to keep your carpeting vibrant and healthy and extend the length of time between professional cleanings. If you would like advice on how often you should have your own carpets cleaned, please give us a call.
Is Your Home Making Your Family Sick?
Most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can damage their health, but may not know that indoor air pollution
can also have significant effects. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) studies of human exposure to air
pollutants indicate that indoor air levels of many pollutants may be 2-5 times, and on occasion more than 100 times
higher than outdoor levels. The levels of indoor air pollutants are of particular concern because it is estimated that most people spend as much as 90% of their time indoors.
A recent study concludes that carpets may benefit indoor air quality by acting as a filter for indoor air, trapping and holding dust mites, pollutants, and allergens like pollen, molds,and pet dander, which play an important role in allergy related diseases. As you can see, regular cleanings are important… not just to maintain the appearance of your carpets, but also for hygienic reasons. Contaminates in your carpet need to be removed on a consistent basis. Waiting until your carpet looks dirty is waiting too long. The EPA recommends having carpets & upholstery cleaned at least once a year, more often if you have kids or pets. Controlling dust is important. Allergens and dust mites can contaminate carpets, upholstered furniture and bedding. Vacuuming will not remove all the allergens but it will help keep the dust down which spreads allergens throughout your home. Make sure that you use a vacuum cleaner that filters the exhausted air. Get in the habit of vacuuming your carpets and furniture thoroughly, at least a couple of times a week. For more information on this subject, visit the EPA website: www.epa.gov. Another good source of information is the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website: www.cdc.gov.
Leary of Color Sealing?
I dont blame you.
I’ve seen the same botched jobs you have. Those silly Grout pens from QVC that looks like you used White Out or tooth paste to hide the stains. Lumpy, uneven results that look horrible. I blame the poor quality products from the hardware store, lack of proper prep work and no artistic skill from the applicator.
With our extremely thorough method and superior Acrylic seals you can be sure to get many, many years of perfect looking grout and clean up so easy you wont believe it
Color Seal concerns??
I get calls from many dirty grout owners who have heard of Color Sealing and are a bit apprehensive about it.
Usually its because they have seen a do it your self job with the low budget products form the hardware store or a rush job done by a company with little to no experience in Color Sealing.
Perfect!
Let me assure you, you will be thrilled wiht the results Connoissuer delivers when restoreing your stained or mismatched grout to “better then new”..
Why Think Local?
http://thinklocalsantacruz.org/c/
Buying from locally owned and independent businesses benefits the local economy
- Locally owned businesses spend their profits locally, purchase more goods from local suppliers, and employ their own office and support staff.
- When more money gets re-circulated in the community, general prosperity as well as tax revenues increase, creating a more vibrant and sustainable economy.
- Locally owned businesses tend to stick around when times get harder. A local owner doesn’t easily pack up and leave town for “better” pastures. This creates more stability in the local economy.
- Because they focus primarily on local markets, locally owned businesses tend to be smaller and place a high premium on being easily accessible by local residents. This cuts down on car travel and promotes sustainable neighborhood economies while at the same time avoids high public expenses for shopping center infrastructure costs.
. . . and the entire community
- Business owners, who live in town, take better care of the environment, participate in public life and local charities.
- A wide variety of locally owned businesses contributes to a stronger local identity and cultural diversity, creating an attractive place to live and visit.
- Strengthening our locally owned business community promotes authentic and meaningful relationships between employees, business owners, customers, suppliers, and neighbors. Chances are, when you buy from a locally owned business, part of your purchase will benefit your neighbors and friends.
What’s Spent Here, Stays Here
Locally owned businesses spend their profits locally, purchase more goods from local suppliers, and employ their own office and support staff.
Get More for Your Money
When more money gets re-circulated in the community, general prosperity as well as tax revenues increase, creating a more vibrant and sustainable economy.
Local Businesses Offer Unique Character
A wide variety of locally owned businesses contributes to a stronger local identity and cultural diversity, creating an attractive place to live and visit.
Neighborly
Strengthening our locally owned business community promotes authentic and meaningful relationships between employees, business owners, customers, suppliers, and neighbors. Business owners, who live in town, take better care of the environment, participate in public life, and donate generously to local charities.
Need to get out of Santa Cruz?
As beautiful as our area is, sometimes its good for the mind, body and soul to just get the heck out of town for a day or week end.
My favorite spot in California, at least on this side of the Sierras is the Tomalas Bay area. Marine country plays host to this luscious rolling landscape that only cows, farmers, artists and oyster
As green as it gets...
shuckers can call home. A few times a year I’ll pack up my wife (or go by myself on my Suzuki) and head up north and spend the day enjoying the fantastic winding roads, art galleries, hiking trails, barren beaches, bird watching, happy California cows, bay views, and best of all no college kids (my own included) or in your face SCruz locals..
The tiny town of Point Reyes Station is at the bottom of the Tomales Bay and its where I find myself spending most of my time.
The sidewalks buzz with activity on sunny weekends. As the coast’s commercial anchor, Point Reyes Station has at least one – and usually just one – of everything: one hardware store, one grocery store, the only bank on the Marin coast, and likewise, the only feed supplier, and the only pharmacy. The downtown eateries, of which there are several, seem almost a mandatory stop for caravans of bicyclists, motorcyclists and all manner of visitors coming through. It’s a free port, blue-collar at its roots, and you can still catch a whiff of livestock in the breeze.
I find the best time of year to visit is February through April. The hills are green as can be, the tourists have not arrived and the weather is perfect. Lots of great Bed and Breakfasts around but plan ahead since most only have a few rooms. Pack your hiking boots and make time for a visit to the light house at the bottom of the peninsula.
A long walk down but well worth the effort.
And if you’re into Bicycling, make it a point to stop by this shop. The owner has a fetish for Mountain Bikes from the late 80′s, early 90′s and his collection is on full display. Check out his blog too for more local flavor of the area. Great reading…
http://www.blackmtncycles.com/Black_Mountain_Cycles.html
Let me know what you think!
Stone Showerstall upkeep.
Natural stone such as tumbled Marble or Travertine is a very popular Shower and Bathtub wall covering here in Santa Cruz County This is somewhat surprising when you consider that it can be one of the most difficult materials to take care of in a Bathroom. Most natural stone of these types is quite porous and will absorb soap scum and minerals from the water, leaving them discolored and unsightly. Once the stone absorbs the discoloring substance, it is difficult or impossible to restore the stone to its original beauty. Sealers are available for natural stone but they do not last long (approx. 6 months) and they can be extremely messy to reapply. Not something the average home owner is prepared for and let alone has the time to do that often
Although Mother Nature has made natural stone beautiful, she has also made it somewhat fragile. Many types of marble are fairly brittle and are subject to cracking along fissure lines in the stone. Costs for good quality natural stone tiles are usually near the high end of all the bathtub and shower wall covering materials.
Currently, some general Contractors are trying to decrease costs by importing low quality natural stone tiles from overseas. Of course, the lower quality stones will tend to have even more problems than the better quality ones. Although I likes the look of natural stone, I do not recommend a marble shower for a long lasting, easy care shower or bathtub. The many tile stores in Santa Cruz all have an excellent selection of beautiful man-made tiles which look just like natural stone but do not have all of the maintenance headaches.
Perfect example..
Soft Scrub should never be used on any stone surface!
In the above picture, a “Professional” cleaning company used Soft Scrub on this home owner’s Polished Marble shower. The company’s owner was unable to fix the problem but if you look at the top left hand corner you can see where we were able to polish the residue away for good.
Now if you just have to have (or keep) your natural stone shower, please follow these helpful tips to keep them looking new and beautiful.
- Never ever use an acidic cleaning agent on any stone but Granite. if you don’t know what kind of stone it is give us a call and we’ll help you figure it out. Realize that just about every tub and tile cleaner found at Longs or Safeway will be acidic. You’ll need to visit a tile store or hardware store to find a Neutral pH cleaner. (Or read my article on Trader Joe’s General Purpose Cleaners here on my Blog) that will be safe for the stone and will not deplete the sealer.
- Squeegee or wipe down the walls and floor after every use.Now I know no one will do this but it is great advice non the less. Doing so will help eliminate the build up of hard water deposits and soap scum.
- Keep the stone and grout well sealed. Sealing keeps the soil, mold and mineral build up on the very surface of the stone so it can be easily (or not so easily) cleaned off later. Once the seal has failed, mold and stains can get too deep to ever successfully clean out 100%. We offer a unique alcohol based sealer that we have to smuggle out of Australia that is chemical, water and UV proof. It’s the ideal sealer for stone showers as you can expect to get at least 5 years of life out of it.
- Make sure the grout, silicon or caulking around the walls and floor stays intact. Once these fail and either crack, peel or crumble, water will be able to get behind the tile and mold and mildew will grow rampant.
- Have Connoisseur come out every two years to professional steam clean and polish or hone your stone shower stall. What is it your grand mother use to say? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?
- And most of all enjoy your Natural Stone shower with a friend…
What makes a Carpet Cleaning company “Green”?
With every business under our sun declaring themselves Green these days you have to wonder whats it really all about?
For some its merely the fact that they have a paperless office and they recycle their coke bottles, for others it means that they ride their bikes to work and they smoke organic cigarettes..
For Connoisseur being Green is a way of life. My wife and I have been vegetarian for over 25 years and our kids have been their whole lives. If your wondering what eating broccoli has to do with being “Green” please check out this link.
Beyond that, we also recycle our all our detergent bottles, our boxes, cans, packing peanuts, cardboard, glass and everything else that comes into our home and business. We compost most everything that is not eaten out of our fridge as well as being very careful about where our cleaning waste water ends up at the end of a day.
Our daily cleaning routes are put together with the least amount of driving possible and we run as much Bio Diesel through our van as we possibly can.
We offer all sorts of child, pet AND adult safe cleaning products for your carpet, hard floors and upholstery. Most could be gargled with if needed. Our hot water extraction cleaning process includes a fresh, thorough soft water only rinse to remove not only the soil but the cleaning agents as well. Your Carpets are left with soft, fluffy, residue free fibers for your family’s bare feet and paws to enjoy.
So if you want to please Mother Earth, get your carpets cleaned and need a recommendation for a great local Vegan restaurant, you now know who to call.
The Power Of Peroxide!
This inexpensive liquid in the brown bottle can save you plenty of $$$.
Oxygen is the most abundant element on earth, comprising 45.6% of the earth’s crust and 20.95% of dry air, and is one of the most vital elements to support life for plants, animals and man.
Hydrogen peroxide has been sold in drug stores for many years as an antiseptic and a bleach. With a cost of less than .60 cents per 16 oz. bottle, it is one of the world’s great “miracles” in a bottle.
Although it is not approved by the FDA or medical profession to be taken internally, it has many uses in homes, farm and garden. How many have you used?
Use 3% hydrogen peroxide in chilled water for washing chicken or other poultry and beef or pork.
Cleansing for vegetables and salad greens: Add 1/4 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide to a sink full of cold water. Wash vegetables thoroughly, rinse with cold water and drain. This process prolongs freshness.
In the dishwasher or dishwater: Add 2 ounces of 3% hydrogen peroxide to the regular washing formula. Your glasses will sparkle!
Marinade: Place meat, fish or poultry in a casserole (avoid using aluminum pans). Cover with a diluted solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Place in a loosely covered container in refrigerator for 1/2 hour. Rinse and cook.
Leftover tossed salad: Spray with a solution of 1/2 cup water and 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide.
Drain, cover and refrigerate. Eliminates use of chemical preservatives.
To freshen kitchen: Keep a spray bottle of 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide in the kitchen. Use to wipe off counter tops and appliances. It will disinfect and give the kitchen a clean, fresh small. Works great in the refrigerator and lunch boxes.
Humidifiers & steamers: Use 1 pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of water. This helps keep them clean too.
Laundry: Add 8 ounces of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your wash in place of bleaches.
Shower: Keep a spray bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide in the shower. Spray your body after washing to replace the acid mantel on your skin that soap removes.
Rejuvenating Detoxifying Bath: Add 6 ounces of 35% hydrogen peroxide to a tub of water. You may increase up to 2 cups. Soak at least 1/2 hour.
Alternate Bath: Add 1/2 cup 35% hydrogen peroxide, 1/2 cup sea salt, 1/2 cup baking soda or Epson salts to water and soak.
Foot soak: Add 1 & 1/2 ounces 35% hydrogen peroxide to 1 gallon water and soak.
Pour a capful of 3% hydrogen peroxide in each of your ears after swimming to prevent ear infections.
Use 3% grade as an astringent on your face, neck and full body after bathing. Gets rid of acne FAST.
Use it in 3% grade in a spray bottle for cuts and soars. Spray on frequently and watch them disappear.
Athlete’s Foot: Soak feet nightly in 3% hydrogen peroxide until condition is improved.
Mouthwash: Use 3% hydrogen peroxide. Add a dash of liquid chlorophyll for flavor if desired.
Swish it around in your mouth for 1-2 minutes before brushing. Watch how white your teeth become!
Toothpaste: Use baking soda and add enough 3% hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Or, just dip your brush in 3% hydrogen peroxide and brush.
Toothbrush: Soak your toothbrush in 3% hydrogen peroxide between brushings.
Pets: For small animals (dogs and cats) use 1 ounce 3% hydrogen peroxide to 1 quart water for their drinking water and bath.
House & Garden Plants: Put 1 ounce 3% hydrogen peroxide in 1-quart water. Water or mist plants with this solution.
Sprouting needs: Add 1 ounce 3% hydrogen peroxide to one pint of water and soak the seeds overnight. Add the same amount of hydrogen peroxide each time you rinse the seeds.
Trader Joe’s Cleanliness is Next to Godliness Multi-Purpose Cleaner
I have lots of home owners asking me what they should use to clean their Granite counter tops with.
There are lots of good safe neutral pH products out there but none are as easy to find as Trader Joe’s Cleanliness is Next to Godliness Multi-Purpose Cleaner. I think everyone in Santa Cruz must shop at TJ’s by now, so it’s easy to pick some up the next time your shopping for some cheap Merlot and fat free Hummus.
The benefits of a “Neutral pH” cleaner are twofold, for one it wont deplete the sealer in your stone or grout like acidic and alkaline cleaners do and second, it wont leave a residue on your shiny granite or marble floor to attract more dirt and finger prints.
Granted, gentle cleaners like this one can take a bit longer to loosen up extreme soil but you can speed things along buy heating up the bottle in your microwave to coffee temperature. (Please take the sprayer off before heating)
Give some a try and let us (and Joe) know what you think!
Mike
We give to the ASPCA with pleasure…
This home owner could really use a doggy door...
Our pet owning customers keep us in business in more ways then one.
If its not a over abundance of hair and dander, its a accumulation of midnight accents from the last year.
Whether you have 5 Newfoundlands, 14 Tom cats or just one ornery Ferret, please give Connoisseur a call to see what our incredible cleaning processes can do to freshen up your carpet and your home.
Until then she will just have to keep calling Connoiseur..
A singlewide off 36th? A Condo in Scotts Valley? A 8 bed room mini-mansion on the 9th hole @ Pasatiempo? Or a castle in Watsonville?…
Whatever type of home or business you have, dont be afraid to call us due to our fancy unpronounceable name.
We proudly clean fo
r anyone and everyone who can call their place a home.
And if you have a dog, 6 cats or even a dragon, all the better!
You’ll see our truck happily buzzing along in every corner of Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and Monterey Counties.
We have had to run our hoses up and over redwood forests , 6 story balconies, through dungeons, down Pacific Avenue, over (and under) swimming pools, through 300 foot hall ways and over the sand at Pot Belly beach to get to your dirty carpets.
How can YOU challenge our amazing Vortex Cleaning Machine?
Cleaning the Library @ the UCSF Medical Center in downtown San Francisco.
If you own a popular restuarant…
Chances are you’ll need your carpet cleaned every two months or so.
Heavy foot traffic, soiled kitchen floors, spilled drinks and food, driveway oils and the occasional upside down cake, all lead to unappetizing situations for your hungry diners. Give Connoisseur a call so we can discus what the best cleaning frequency and methods would work for your restaurant’s situation.
Need a good cheap vacuum for your home or office?
I cant say enough about the Bissell Momentum upright.
$99 at home depot, better suction then the infamous Dyson, no bags to buy and all the extra tools you’ll ever need. And best yet, no internal filters to clog. The popularity of bagless vacuums can be over hyped when uneducated home owners bring home their new Hoover or Eureka only to discover the half way through there home the new “bagless” vacuum looses most of it’s suction due to a clogged filter or in some cases, filter’s.
Who wants to wash a filter out every time you vacuum up after Chompers and Mrs Fiskers?
The Bissell has somehow gotten around Dyson’s patent and duplicated the same “venturing cyclonic (what ever that means)” filterless system and sells it to you minus the huge cost of an incredible marketing campaign. You can buy five of the Bissells for the cost of one Dyson and still come out a head in the suction department.
http://www.bissell.com/Products/c/uprightvacuum/p/3910MomentumVac/product.aspx
Give one a shot, what have you got to lose.?
Except pounds of dirt?
Edit: A new model has been introduced, the Bissell Healthy Home Upright.
At $250 or so it’s a complete Dyson knockoff but with a better brush roll, a pile height adjuster and half the price.
Are you looking for a great Tile Setter?
If you’re in the need for a new shower stall, kitchen floor or tile counter top you will not find a better tile craftsman the Aptos’ own Joshua McAuley,
Josh is not only a friend of mine but a humble, hard working, very creative professional tile setter. I’ve seen his installs and you can be sure he is not just some fly by night with a used tile saw and a tape measure. First class work all the way.
Whether it be 2000 feet of 16 inch granite tiles meandering through out your home of just fixing the broken bullnose on your 1952 lemon yellow bathroom counter, give Josh a call at 831 688 9856 or email him at mcauleytile@sbcglobal.net.
Mike
Thinking about new Counter Tops?
I would encourage you to take a drive over to Greenspace in Santa Cruz to look at their very unique options available.
While we would love to clean and maintain your Granite and Tile counter tops in the future, you really should look into the great “green” products that the fine folks @ Greenspace has to offer..
http://www.greenspacecompany.com/store/countertops/
Make sure to pick up some Neutral pH cleaner for your kitchen while your there.
Tell them Connoisseur sent you.
Mike
THE TEN MOST COMMON STONE PROBLEMS.
How To Avoid & Solve Them
Marble, granite, limestone and other decorative stone are durable materials that will last a lifetime. However, if not installed correctly, or properly cared for, will experience problems that will shorten its life. The following are the top ten problems most common in dealing with stone tile.
1. Loss of shine
The loss of the high polish on certain marble and granite can be attributed to wear. This is especially true of marble, since it is much softer than granite. The bottoms of our shoes act like sandpaper on a stone floor surface, and over time, will wear the polish off. To prevent excessive wear, it is important to keep the floor dust mopped, and place walk-off mats at all entrances. To repair a worn, or dulled, stone surface, it will be necessary to re-hone and re-polish.
2. Etching
The dull spot created, when liquids containing acids are spilled on marble, is called etching. Marble and limestone etch very easily. Granite is more acid-resistance, and will rarely etch. To prevent etching, avoid using cleaners and chemicals that contain acids. Bathroom cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and lemon cleaners commonly contain acids. Certain drinks and foods contain acids that will also cause etching. Light etching can be removed with a little marble polishing powder. Deep etching will require resurfacing of the stone.
3. Staining
All stone surfaces can become very easily stained. Most foods, drinks, ink, oil and rust will stain marble. Once a stone becomes stained, it can be very difficult to remove. To prevent staining, clean the spilled material as soon as possible. Blot the spill with a clean paper towel or cloth. If this does not remove the stain, a process called “poulticing” may be needed. For more information on poulticing, please refer to our brochure, “Removing Stains from Marble, Stone & Other Porous Surfaces.” It is important to seal stone with a good quality penetrating sealer to prevent staining.
4. Efflorescence
Efflorescence appears as a white powdery residue on the surface of the stone. It is a common condition on new stone installations, or when the stone is exposed to a large quantity of water, such as flooding. This powder is a mineral salt deposited from the setting bed. Do not use water to remove efflorescence. Instead, buff the stone with a clean polishing pad, or a #0000 steel wool pad. The stone will continue to effloresce until it is completely dry. This drying process can take from several days to as long as one year.
5. Spalling, Flaking & Pitting
Spalling is the development of small pits, or small pieces of stone are popping off the surface. This condition is common on stone exposed to large amounts of water, when deicing salts are used for ice removal. Like efflorescence, mineral salts are the cause for spalling and pitting. Instead of the salts depositing on the surface (efflorescence), they deposit below the surface of the stone. This causes pressure within the stone; therefore, the stone spalls, flakes, or pits. Unfortunately, once a stone begins to spall, it is almost impossible to repair. Replacement of the stone is recommended.
6. Yellowing
There are several reasons why a stone will turn yellow: embedded dirt, and grime, can give the stone a yellow, dingy look; waxes, and other coatings, can yellow with age; certain stones will naturally yellow with age. This is caused by oxidation of iron within the stone, and is especially problematic with white marbles. If the yellowing is caused by dirt, or build up, clean the stone with an alkaline cleaner, or wax stripper. If the yellowing is the result of aged stone, or iron oxidation, it is not coming out.
7. Uneven Tile-Lippage
Lippage is the term given to tiles that are set unevenly. In other words, the edge of one tile is higher than the next. Lippage is the result of a poor installation. If the lippage is higher than the thickness of a nickel (1/32″), it is considered excessive. The tile will have to be ground to flatten the floor. This requires the services of a professional stone-refinishing contractor.
8. Cracks
Settling, poor installation, and excessive vibration are the causes for cracks in stone tiles. This is especially true in California. Sometimes, cracks can be repaired, by using a color-matched polyester or epoxy filler. Before a crack is repaired, it is wise to find out how, and why, the cracked occurred in the first place. Otherwise, it may recur.
9. White Stun Marks
Stun marks appear as white marks on the surface of the stone, and are common in certain types of marble. These stuns are the result of tiny explosions inside the crystal of the stone. Pinpoint pressures placed on the marble cause these marks. Women’s high heels, or blunt pointed instruments, are common reasons for stun marks. Stun marks can be difficult to remove. Grinding and/or honing can reduce the number of stuns, but some travel through the entire thickness of the stone; therefore, are impossible to remove.
10. Water Rings/Spots
Water rings and spots are very common on marble tabletops. These spots are hard water minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals are left behind, when the water evaporates, leaving a ring or a spot. To remove these spots, use a marble polishing powder. Deep spots may require honing. To prevent spots on counters and tabletops, frequently apply a good stone paste wax.
Hopefully this helps, If you have any furthur questions, don’t hesitate to call.
Mike.