Few carpet and upholstery cleaning companies earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award, which means they’ve been independently rated Highest in Quality. Even fewer can claim an owner who brings more than 20 years of industry experience to every project, but that’s exactly the case for Precision Cleaning Services and its proprietor, Curt Holman. “This is an owner-operated firm, which means I’m on every jobsite and do all the work myself,” explains Mr. Holman. “My service approach allows me to ensure complete customer satisfaction.”

Precision Cleaning Services has been providing a variety of cleaning services for residential and commercial clients in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties since 1994, handling everything from carpet, upholstery and rug cleaning to emergency water damage service and stone/tile sealing. Mr. Holman says his ultimate goal is to build personal relationships with his clients and provide them with the best possible cleaning services. “I’m always honest with my customers, and because of that, I’m able to earn their trust.”

Unlike carpet and upholstery cleaning companies that implement dry cleaning methods, Precision Cleaning Services prefers to use a truck-mounted steam cleaning system, which is the primary industry technique for most interim and restoration maintenance cleanings. “Most of the time, truck-mounted steam cleaning is superior to dry cleaning methods in terms of dry time and quality,” explains Mr. Holman. “It’s also the preferred cleaning method of many major carpet manufacturers, including Shaw Industries.”

Precision Cleaning Services double cleans commercial carpets to restore their neutral pH levels and reduce the chances of stains returning, and it uses turbo fans to speed up the drying process as much as possible. “Utilizing state-of-the-art cleaning methods and equipment makes it easier to reach my goal of 100 percent customer satisfaction,” says Mr. Holman.

When it comes to removing carpet stains, time is of the essence. Today’s carpets resist spots much better than those manufactured even a few years ago, but they’re still susceptible to spots and should be treated immediately to avoid permanent staining. “When a spot or stain occurs on your carpet or upholstery, it’s very important to act quickly,” confirms Curt Holman, owner of Precision Cleaning Services in Dublin. “The longer a spot or stain remains, the harder it is to get out.” Large stains should be handled by a professional cleaner, but to remove smaller, less serious stains from your carpet or upholstery, consider the following tips:

1. Blot up as much of the spill as you can. Don’t scrub—it’ll only work the spill deeper into the fiber and may leave a wear mark. Fold a white cotton towel, press it into the spill and rotate it often so a clean surface is always against the carpet. Continue to blot until the spill stops transferring to the towel. Remove any solid material with a rounded spoon or the edge of a dull knife.
2. Cover the blotted area with a fresh, white towel. Weigh the towel down with something that won’t transfer color. Leave it in place for 15 to 20 minutes to remove any remaining spill. If the carpet remains stained, proceed to step 3.
3. Spotting the remaining stain requires care and patience. You can’t apply most household cleaners without further damaging the carpet—many common cleaners contain dyes that will discolor the carpet or chemicals that will permanently set the stain. If you can locate the literature you received when you bought the carpet, it should contain the spotting procedures for you to follow. If not, you can attempt to remove most common household spills with the following procedure:
• Mix one teaspoonful of colorless, mild detergent in one cup of lukewarm water. To test the safety of the solution, apply several drops to an inconspicuous area (inside a closet, under a sofa) and rub gently with a clean, white towel. Don’t proceed if the carpet color changes or transfers to the towel.
• If the test is successful, spot the stain by alternately applying a few drops of cleaner followed by blotting, not scrubbing. Work from the outer edge of the stain to the center. Continue this process until the stain is gone or no more color transfers to the white towel.
• Gently rinse the area with clear water and absorb all the remaining moisture with towels.

Q: What type of carpet cleaning system do you use?

A: I use a truck-mounted steam cleaning system, which is the number one technique for most interim and restoration maintenance cleanings. It’s also the preferred cleaning method of many major carpet manufacturers, including Shaw Industries.

Q: How long will it take for my carpet to dry after it’s been cleaned?

A: Dry time for carpet that’s been steam cleaned is four to eight hours. Depending on the type of carpet and weather conditions, I may also use turbo fans to speed up the drying process.

Q: How do you charge for your services?

A: Pricing for carpet, rug, wood, stone and tile cleaning is by the square foot; pricing for upholstery cleaning is by the linear foot. Call us and we’ll be happy to provide you with a free estimate.

Q: How often should I clean my carpet?

A: The national average is once every 18 months, but I tell most of my clients to clean their carpets at least once a year. If you have children or pets, you may want to clean twice a year.

Q: Do fabric protectors and sealers really work?

A: Yes. Teflon fabric protects carpet, boosts stain resistance and allows textiles to stay cleaner for longer periods of time. Stone, tile, grout and hardwood need to be sealed and protected to maintain a fresh appearance.

Q: Do you clean and maintain wood flooring as well as carpet?

A: Yes. Wood floors are often neglected—most people don’t do anything except clean them periodically with a damp mop. Between refinishings, I can perform a thorough cleaning and apply a topcoat of water-based urethane finish.

Q: Do you use any Green cleaning products?

A: Everything I use has an HMIS (Hazardous Materials Identification System) rating of one or less. I tend to think Green products are slightly overrated, especially in California, where EPA standards are already very high for carpet and upholstery cleaning. All my cleaning products are very safe based on California standards.