Carpet and upholstery cleaning companies are always looking for ways to distinguish themselves from their competition, and those that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award are already several steps ahead. In addition to its Diamond Certified status, North Coast Carpet Care, Inc. sets itself apart by exceeding industry standards for employee certification, quality of workmanship and diversity of services. “We’ve taken things a step further than most companies,” says Vice President Scott Mayer. “We understand it’s a serious responsibility to enter someone’s home and clean their carpets, so we’ve spent the last two decades developing our services to ensure total customer satisfaction.”

North Coast Carpet Care has been cleaning upholstery, carpets, drapes, tile and grout, hardwood floors, area and Oriental rugs, and other furnishings for residential and commercial clients in Sonoma, Marin and Napa Counties since 1988. In addition to its regular services, the family-owned and operated company cleans automobile and RV interiors; provides water damage restoration services; repairs and restretches carpets; and Scotchgards carpets, upholstery and area rugs.

Unlike less experienced carpet and upholstery cleaning companies that under-train their employees in an effort to save money on operating costs, North Coast Carpet Care requires all its technicians to be certified by the renowned Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC). “In addition to being highly trained, most of our technicians have been with us for 10 to 20 years,” adds Mr. Mayer. “Their longevity is a very important component of our success. This isn’t just a job for our employees–it’s a career.”

To further differentiate itself from its competition, North Coast Carpet Care takes on a variety of jobs that other carpet cleaning companies aren’t qualified to handle. “Our services are very diverse, so we’re able to offer our clients many options to solve their problems,” says Mr. Mayer. “For instance, we can repair carpet and upholstery in addition to cleaning it, and we use state-of-the-art equipment and biodegradable cleaning products to remove all types of stains and odors, including those made by pets.”

Advancements in technology have made carpet cleaning more effective than ever. The last two decades have seen an influx of innovative developments in carpet manufacturing, particularly in the area of carpet fiber engineering. “A perfect example is Mohawk—they’re making fiber out of water bottles, and because of that, they’ve become one of the largest water bottle recyclers in the world,” says Scott Mayer, Vice President of North Coast Carpet Care, Inc. in Rohnert Park. “Companies are learning more every day about the benefits of innovating new design and manufacturing techniques.”

The carpet cleaning industry has responded to these developments with its own innovations. As recently as the 1980s, carpet cleaning was limited by technology and product availability, but as technology caught up with the industry, the quality of work increased dramatically. “Not only has technology made the cleaner’s job easier, it has made the results better for consumers,” says Mr. Mayer. “In my opinion, carpet cleaning has never seen a more productive or exciting time.”

Without the aid of these technological advancements, the best thing you can do to maintain your carpet is vacuum at least once or twice a week. This will make a noticeable difference in terms of surface cleanliness, but in order to preserve the aesthetic and functional value of your carpet, an annual professional cleaning is crucial. “If a carpet goes without maintenance for an extended period of time, it can become permanently damaged,” says Mr. Mayer. “It’s similar to teeth—you want to keep them looking good and not wait until they develop problems. The more you maintain your carpet, the longer it will last and better it will look.”

Purchase the right vacuum cleaner for your particular carpet. There are many options when it comes to buying a vacuum cleaner, so choosing the right one is often a matter of doing research and knowing what type of carpet you have. “Some carpets are more high-maintenance than others,” explains Mr. Mayer. “For instance, if you have a Berber-style or loop carpet, you might not know that a vacuum with a course beater bar can compromise the integrity of the loop and cause problems. If you know the fiber and construction of your carpet, you can relay that information to the vacuum sales associate and ensure you get the right product for your specific needs.”

Q: How soon can you get here?

A: We have multiple vehicles, so we can usually schedule an appointment around your schedule instead of ours. We provide service seven days a week, and when it comes to water damage restoration, we’re available 24 hours a day.

Q: How long will it take for my carpet to dry?

A: It depends on what type of carpet you have and its condition. The average carpet takes between two and six hours to dry, but sometimes it can take a full day. We’ll give you an accurate estimate before any work begins.

Q: Are your cleaning products safe for my children to be around?

A: Absolutely. All the products we use are safe for people, pets and the environment. Also, we regularly clean places like hospitals and asthma centers, so we’re very conscientious of protecting people’s sensitivities to certain chemicals.

Q: How do you clean area rugs?

A: We use a multi-tip process to clean area rugs, combining new and old-fashioned cleaning methods. This allows us to restore rugs that have been damaged or haven’t been cleaned in a long time.

Q: Do you apply Scotchgard or other protectants on carpets?

A: We can apply a variety of protectants depending on your specific needs. The most common protectants are Scotchgard and Dupont Teflon, but we also use a product called Green Guard that has seals from the EPA and Design for the Environment (DFE).

Q: Do you clean automobiles and RVs?

A: Yes. We can clean just about anything, including planes and boats.