What is sisal carpet?  Sisal carpet  in my opinion is like walking on a wicker basket.  Sisal carpet is a cellulose carpet.  Cellulose?  That’s right cellulose. Sisal is made from a plant.  This natural fiber carpet really is made from the same same stuff that some wicker baskets are made of.  My family and I used to make wicker basket lamp shades when I was growing up and we would sell them at Saturday Market but that’s a whole other story.  This carpet is definitely high end/expensive carpet but unfortunately not very practical to live with.  Since everyone of us is human and prone to get stains on the carpet this would not be a type of carpet I would recommend.

The customer that hired us for this job previously used Checkmate Carpet & upholstery cleaning for another emergency situation.  They consulted with a few other companies prior to contacting us only to hear that there was no hope for their situation and the carpet needed to be replaced.  When other carpet cleaning companies don’t have the experience or education necessary to handle special situations they often give the only advice they know which is “We can’t do it so you probably need to replace it”.  At Checkmate Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning we are IICRC certified not only in carpet cleaning but also in carpet repairs.  Our reputation for fixing “impossible” situations has made the S.W.A.T. team of carpet cleaner in the Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA area.

So anyway back to this sisal job.  This sisal carpet that was being held hostage by permanent stains was in for a rude awakening.  When we arrived at the scene the realtor was frantic yet excited we had come to the rescue.  She informed me how important this job was for both her and her customer.  The customer wants to sell the home and not have to replace the carpet.
I explained to her that I was an expert at cleaning sisal carpet and most companies wouldn’t even touch it.  I also made sure the customer had realistic expectations and asked her “If I could improve these stains by 90%, would that be acceptable?”  This situation was even more difficult because the stain was made from where their plant had been sitting on the carpet  and the water had leaked and created an 11″ x11′ dark greenish black stain.  This was a bad one!  She knew we were only hope in this situation.  There are really only a handful of companies that would or could handle this carpet.  To clean it properly you have to be very careful.  It is extremely likely that the carpet will brown out.  The reason is because if you don’t clean it on the acid pH scale you will end up getting water stains which is lignant.  In all actuality sisal carpet is fairly easy to clean if you have the right cleaners, education and equipment.

Every job to me is an opportunity and this job was a great opportunity to be a hero and save the day.  Five long hours and buckets of sweat later the stain had disappeared and once again we have proved that the technicians at Checkmate Carpet Cleaning truly are local carpet super heroes.  Using everything possible with science, technology and experience we had saved the day and reinforced to our friend the realtor that we are worthy of her referrals and business.   Remember even if we can’t leap tall building at a single bound or run faster than a speeding bullet we can always to the best at everything we do that makes us heroes.  To be continued…..

I am proud to be a geek.  Do you know the difference between a GEEK and a NERD?  I will tell you.  A geek will dress up to go to the midnight showing of Star Wars – which I did with all my employees.  A NERD will not dress up and will still go to the midnight showing of Star Wars , but a NERD will look at all the people who did dress up and say, “ What GEEKS!”.  Well, that’s me.  A GEEK and proud of it.  The nerds are missing out and geeks are cooler.  This is a GEEK REVOLUTION!

Why did I share my personal love for video games? Because I am not ashamed. In fact, I am proud! And if you like video games or whatever it is that you are into, be proud too, becuase everyone is different.  Speaking of different, I was playing Xbox 360 when I got a call from the Checkmate Carpet Cleaning Portland Or head quarters.  She said I have a mission for you.  (Did I mention I love action movies, too?) An appliance company rep delivered a new washer and dryer and a pen fell out of his pocket, flew across the room and stained the customer’s new carpet.  They had another company come out and they could not remove the stain.  The appliance company said if they cannot remove the ink and make the carpet perfect, they would have to replace it.  I asked how big is the ink spot, and she said the size of a quarter.  I said, “Tell the appliance company I think I can help them and the Carpet Cleaning Ink Buster is on his way”.

I arrived to the home, which was really nice, about 5000 sq. ft. of new construction.  The customers were very friendly. They just moved in and were extremely concerned about the ink stain.  I put on my booties, handed them my card and introduced myself as an Ink Remover Specialist. I asked them to take me to the location of the crime scene.  As soon as I spotted the ink, I got really excited because I knew from previous experience that I could correct this situation.  I got up close and personal with the ink stain and proceeded with a thorough front to back inspection.  I explained to the anxiously waiting customers, “ It’s a good thing you called Checkmate Carpet Cleaning Portland Or because your carpet is in critical condition and we may need life flight.  This stain is going to require emergency treatment to bring her back to life.” ( I knew this carpet was a she because it was so pretty. )  I believe if you love what you do for a living and are passionate – you can have as much fun as I do with carpet cleaning.  The customers really appreciated my professionalism and sense of humor but they would not think it was funny if I couldn’t correct the situation and create a win/win for everyone.

There was a lot riding on me correcting this ink stain.   Usually, I don’t like an audience but these customers were so interested in what I was doing because I was entertaining and informative, they said they haven’t had this much fun in along time.  I said to the husband, “You need to take your wife on a date tonight, really! ” She said, “ I like this carpet cleaner. He’s smart!”  A happy wife is a happy life.  I used a secret technique to save the day. (www.CarpetCleaningTradeSecrets.com)

The customers were absolutely thrilled, the appliance company did not have to replace the carpet and we added a new customer to the Checkmate Carpet Cleaning Portland Or family. They asked for extra cards and promised to pass them along to friends and family.  We really appreciate that as we are a small family business that works mainly off referrals.  My dad always says if you put the needs of the customer first before your own, you will always have a successful day.  I believe work does not have to be boring. Come on! If I can make carpet cleaning sound exciting, what can you do at your job?  Having fun and being creative does not mean goofing off.  Whatever you do be the best and always be yourself you and your customers deserve it.  Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care.   George The Carpet Cleaner.

To be continued…………

When it comes to carpet cleaning……..CHECKMATE Carpet Cleaning Portland Or, Vancouver Wa

The customer remarked on how quickly I arrived.  I said, “Just call us “Checkmate Carpet Cleaning on the spot!”  Then I recommended that she install a Checkmate Omatic button so when she gets a stain all she has to do is push the button and an IICRC carpet cleaning technician will pop out and address any and all her concerns.  She laughed. 

Let’s look at all your wonderful stains, I can’t wait.  We go into the office and low and behold my precious stains were revealed to me.  My challenge has just began, I love it! I explained many carpet cleaners have no education in carpet cleaning, but not Checkmate Carpet Cleaning Portland, Or. We are the experts at any situation because of our training, cleaners, equipment, experince and enthusiasm to help every customer.  After an up close and personal inspection of the the cigarette burns, I explained we only have discoloration on the tips of the fibers and that I have a secret technique to correct this. (Carpet Cleaning Trade Secrets website)

Keep in mind, I will do everything possible to remove all these stains but sometimes they just don’t cooperate no matter what I do and we may need to correct this with a bonded insert.  Many companies do patches but they don’t last. We use a different technique called bonded inserts.  The industry experts have done tests where they have stretched the carpet after a bonded insert was done and the carpet ripped before the bonded insert.  For your rust, I will use a carpet cleaner especially designed for rust and I will agitate to activate the chemistry with proper dwell time, then perform a hot water extraction at 230 degrees.  

However, your kool aid stain  requires a unique treatment because it’s a synthetic stain.  I will be using a carpet cleaner especially formulated for kool aid and will then activate the cleaner with steam.  Additionally,I will be using a special tool for helping in the removal of the kool aid stain. It’s a professional  hand steamer which concentrates all the steam in a central location. 

Your water stain is in a class all it’s own. We will want to go on the acid side and use a carpet cleaner that eliminates the yellowing and soil that has surfaced.  Each stain requires several steps and while I’m here when was the last time you had all your carpets cleaned.  She said two years. Wow it’s been that long!  Did you know all the experts like the IICRC, CRI, EPA and Carpet Manufactures recommend every 6 to 12 months for health reasons and performance of your carpet.  Take that shirt your wearing for instance, would you go 2 years with out washing it?  Of course not.  Well, it’s the same for your carpet. In a perfect world you would clean your carpet every week.  But that’s not practical or in the budget for most people.  Keep in mind your carpet is the largest filter in your home and those pollutants need to be removed regularly.  While I’m here, to make it more cost effective to you why don’t we clean all your carpets?  How much?  I gave her the price and she said, let’s do it.  Great! I will perform the Most Incredible Carpet Cleaning in Portland Or you have ever experienced. 

At the end of the job Praise God! I was able to remove every stain and turn her carpets into a pollutant free masterpiece.  She was so thrilled she asked for several cards to give to family and friends and would like us to clean her office where she works.  She said Checkmate Carpet Cleaning Portland Or is the only carpet cleaning company she will ever use and recommend.

On my way home, I called my wife and shared the adventure I had in carpet cleaning today.  My wife said she loved me and to hurry home – “ I have a steak dinner waiting for my hunk of a man”.  It’s good to be a carpet cleaner!  Remember no matter what you choose to be in life always be yourself and go over and beyond what anyone expects of you.  This will create a lasting impression of you and your company.  Your competition has forgotten what service  is but not you and not CHECKMATE.   Carpet Cleaning Portland Or.

To be continued…………

“When it comes to carpet cleaning………Checkmate!”

We arrived on time which is really important to make an awesome first impression.  I knocked on the door and the customer was looking at me kind of funny.  I confirmed that she was “Mrs. Jones”, my 9am appointment for carpet cleaning and repair in Portland OR.   She said no, with confusion on her face.  I was puzzled because it was the right address on my vancouver wa & portland or carpet cleaning invoice.  Then Dana showed up in his Checkmate Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning van that services Vancouver WA & Portland OR www.checkmatecarpetcleaning.com .  I asked Dana if this  is the house that needs the carpet cleaning repair since he had been there before and he couldn’t remember.  We then figured out that it was the house next door. 

I knocked on the door and the nicest woman answered the door with two of the cutest little girls you ever saw (besides my own daughter of course).  I asked if she was “Mrs. Jones” with the Portland Or carpet cleaning repair and she said “yes I am”.  I took the time to introduce myself and build repore with her and the two little girls.  Also I was greeted by the huge dog that caused the repair, who was freaking out the whole time, driving me crazy.  Thats ok I love dogs and if it wasn’t for this beast I wouldn’t have this great Portland OR carpet cleaning opportunity. 

After getting the customer to feel comfortable with our company,  I told her, I can’t stand it anymore please show me the carpet cleaning repair.  We went upstairs and low and behold there it was, in its’ incredible splendor.  I had to catch my breathe because it was so beautiful.  You had to see it.  As a matter of fact here is a picture.  Count them not one but two gaping holes that cuased a warm feeling of pleasure for me because it was a job.  I love jobs.  My dad always said it is better to work for an honest days pay so you can feel like a man who made a difference in his community than to be a lazy bum on welfare.  People really appriciate a hard worker who makes his living by serving others.  My dad owns the SELLWOOD INN TAVERN in Portland, OR on 17th and Umitilla.  My mom is silly she calls it a Pub & Eatery to make it more appealing to the suiters but it’s really just a bar.  A really nice one.  Check it out at www.sellwoodinn.com if you want to experience a local down to earth, let your hair down bar?  This is the place for you.  I had to plug my dad’s business. Its the least I could do since he worked hard to keep a roof over my head 18 years and when I had to move back in because I thauaght I was going to be a millioniare but instead became in debt with credit cards.  Anyways thats a whole other chapter in my young 20’s life.  I’m not in debt anymore but it took me 20 years to get there (now I’m 40). 

Let’s get back to Mrs. Jones and her hyper dog that hates men with tools.  Oh ya that’s the crazy part I left out, everytime a service guy stops buy to do any work during their home remodel and pulls out a tool the dog freaks.  I thought this won’t happen to me, I’m the dog wisperer.  My idea was to let the dog smell each carpet cleaning repair tool I was about to use.  Sounds brilliant doesn’t it.  It didn’t work.  So the customer threatened to put the dog in the basement the whole time I was working but never did.  I think she loved that dog too much and let it rule the house.  I know how it is, I have a cha wa wa and a boston terrier mix.  I sure can get off on a tangeant back to the carpet cleaning repair.  

So any ways to make a long story short.  I fixed the holes in the carpet and cleaned everything in her home including her upholstery and she loved Checkmate Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning so much she even gave us a reveiw with 5 stars on google maps.  Here it is: Our neurotic dog accidentally locked herself in our master bedroom and, in her panicked state, she dug up a portion of our Berber carpet at the doorway to try to “dig” her way out. We were worried that we would need to replace the carpet in the entire bedroom and hallway. We called Marion’s Carpet, who sold us the carpet, to ask who they recommended for difficult repair jobs. They referred us to Checkmate, and we could not have been happier with the results. They came for a consultation within an hour of my phone call, and returned a few days later to make the repair. The repair looks fantastic, and the technicians were courteous, kind, and even had a sense of humor about our carpetdisaster. We would highly recommend Checkmate to anyone in need of assistance with a repair job.  Until next time, Who is faster than a speeding bullet, able to leep tall buildings in a single bound, its a bird no a plane its Super Carpet Cleaning Man with Checkmate Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning serving Vancouver WA and Portland Or.  To be continued………

It was “cleaned” by the other guys… This is where it is VERY important to go with a reputable carpet cleaner.  The previous cleaning was incomplete and thoroughly useless.  They didn’t extract all of the soap, either with poor equipment, or a ridiculously fast hack job, and the soap that was left in the carpet continued to attract molecules of moisture and dirt the moment it dried.  Quality carpet and carpet with protectant on it will naturally shed dirt and moisture.  Normal carpet not so much.  The worst is any carpet with tons of soap left in it, because it is a polarized substance, designed to grab dirt and make it extractable.  But in this scenario, with soap LEFT IN THE CARPET it attracts the dirt to the carpet and creates stains everywhere.

He was really disappointed with himself for not taking before and after pictures – he even bought a brand new camera and just forgot to use it.  But we are on the hunt for pictures of exactly this scenario, so make sure to contact us if you have some or if you got a cheap carpet cleaning and it looks like the stains are beginning to appear very quickly, this is probably the reason.

After the cleaning he was ecstatic as his carpet was perfect.  Every stain came out and it looked brand new.  The funny thing is the same day his carpet cleaning was scheduled he had just spilled some special korean sauce on the carpet and not just anywhere – on the stairs.  It was a large amount and very unattractive but we got it all out!

The lesson is to keep your eyes on the carpet after you get a carpet cleaning and watch for new stains to magically appear.  If the soap was not extracted properly, more dirt will be attracted to it and uniformly build up everywhere.

This type of soiling is difficult to remove because the soil particles are so fine that they penetrate deep into the carpet pile, sometimes into the backing of the carpet. Can it be removed? Sometimes. With special products, time and effort, reasonable results can be achieved, although not in all cases.

To help prevent air filtration soiling in the future, vacuum the edges of the carpeting on a regular basis, then wipe with a damp, white terry towel. Be careful around the tack strip under the edge of the carpeting, you could nick your fingers.

I have two great looking websites I get compliments on all the time, a working store that makes me money, both websites are ranked well on Google and I’ve paid right around or less than 3 grand.  I know a good deal, and that is one of the best I’ve had in my entire life, especially given the already GREAT return on my investment.

For business owners who want to be agressive towards growth, look and feel great on the web, and use their website for sales and lead generation, I recommend Northwest eSource!  Thanks Charles!

Web Design in Portland

Thanks again to everyone for another great year. We could not have done it without you and your support. It is true friends and loyalty, such as yours, that keep us doing what we love - taking care of your needs. It is our greatest pleasure to service you. 

As we continue to grow and extend our service area, we appreciate your continued support and recommendations to your friends, family and co-workers of our services. It is our promise to you to serve you and your referrals with the utmost of professionalism.

We are looking forward to servicing all of your cleaning and restoration needs for 2009 and many more years to come. Thanks again and we hope to see you soon!

**Don’t forget to visit our website at www.CheckmateCarpetCleaning.com for a complete list of our current specials.

***Gold Members…Remember to book your next appointment soon to take advantage of the additional 5% off savings.

From all of us at Checkmate…

Here’s something special just for you…

2 For 1 Christmas Special!!

We love to work for you! To show our appreciation

during this holiday season we’re offering a 2 for 1 Christmas Special!

We’ll clean your home before AND after

your friends and family come over for the holidays!

All you need to do is schedule a cleaning before December 31^st

and purchase minimum of $300 in services and we’ll return during

the month of January to touch-up any areas we cleaned for ONLY $49.00*

To schedule your 2 for 1 Christmas Special call our office at:

Vancouver (360) 910.3100 or Portland (503) 317.6413

or schedule online at: CheckmateCarpetCleaning.com

*Official Rules: Limited time offer. Offer not valid with any other offers. Must purchase a minimum of $300 to qualify.

$49 re-service must be done during the month of January.

To our friends and customers:

Each year during the holiday season, we take great pleasure in setting aside our regular work and sending a heartfelt message to all our best friends and customers.

How joyful we are that this time has come again to extend our sincere gratitude because it is good friends and customers like you that make our business possible.

There is no time more appropriate than this to say Thank You and to wish you a very Merry Christmas. May your holiday be filled with joy and the coming year be overflowing with all the good things in life.

A world of thanks!

Sincerely,

The Grijalva Family and your Checkmate Team

It all began for me in the 80’s.  Life was great until my mom and dad started Checkmate Janitorial, “the company that defeats all others“. That is when my life became a living nightmare. When I was fifteen, my parents woke me up at 5:00am each morning, before school, so I could clean toilets and mop floors. Not only that but I also I had to work after school and often times in the middle of the night. So much for having a life! Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse my mom came home with a big blue box. She informed me that this wonderful machine was for carpet cleaning. After paying $500 for this hunk of junk she was very motivated to schedule me for even more work. I wanted to change places with anyone in the world at that moment. My nightmare lasted five years. When we left southern California to move to Oregon, we left Checkmate Janitorial behind forever… or so I thought.

Thirteen years later, I came home from work as a Stock Broker Recruiter (I loved that title; it sounds so cool and important). As I came through the door, my wife couldn’t wait to tell me all about our new neighbor who has a carpet cleaning business and makes a lot of money. She was talking to him about starting a business in the service industry and they thought a blind cleaning business might be just the ticket. Thank God – I thought she was going to try to talk to me about carpet cleaning. “Let’s meet John at the cleaning supply company tomorrow and we can get some more information,” she said, and I reluctantly agreed.  At the meeting John talked about blind cleaning and I listened, but then the conversation took a 360 turn towards a truck mounted carpet cleaning system. By the end of the conversation he somehow managed to make carpet cleaning look like it could possibly be a good business for us.

Next thing I knew I had a truck mounted carpet cleaning van in my driveway and NO customers. Two weeks later l lost my job. I took it as a sign that God must want me to start moving forward on building a carpet cleaning business. Against my will, my wife dragged me to a free seminar we got with our truck mount. I soon took every IICRC course that was available. I became a carpet cleaning information addict.

Eight years later we have three thousand residential customers, four Prochem truck mounted vans, one estimating vehicle, a corporate office, three Checkmate locations (Vancouver, Washington & Beaverton and Clackamas, Oregon) and we have a sister company CarpetCleaningTradeSecrets.  We are recommended by over 40 carpet stores, real estate agents, interior designers, builders, Street of Dreams & Parade of Homes. I have been invited to be on over twelve TV shows at no charge, four radio shows.