PCS Move-Out Season Tips

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move-out season is here for military families, which is typically from the end of May to the beginning of September because the military tends to try to have the families move after school is out for the summer. This can be an exciting time but also requires lots of planning to move out of your home and into another. Since we have Fort Sill Military Base in our city of Lawton, Oklahoma, we have the privilege of assisting military families with offering our deep cleaning services with their homes in preparation of moving out, so we’d like to pass on some tips that we’ve learned along the way.

Concerning deep-cleaning of your home and deposits, there are 2 different ways to go about the move out process with Corvias Military Living in Fort Sill Lawton, Oklahoma:

Option #1– A tenant does nothing and just has Corvias take care of everything related to cleaning and repairs before moving out for one lump sum. We do not know what their policy is in regards to giving deposits back or if they even have to put down a deposit when living on base, but we bring it up so tenants are aware to ask about deposit policies, especially with Voluntary Intra-Base Moves and Off-Post Moves where the service member is responsible for all costs related to moving.

Option #2 –If you choose to take care of the deep-cleaning process of your home in order to move out and ensure your deposit is returned, then follow this helpful checklist:

• The tenant on Ft. Sill would get their PCS date.
• Next they would schedule for a moving company to come and pack and/or get their belongings to be shipped to the new base.
• Then the tenant would try to fix any damages accrued from pets, children, etc.
• Then the tenant would perform what is called “a move out clean” on the property. For a complete list of what this entails, visit the Corvias Move-Out Guide.
• Then after the “move out clean” is done, if needed the tenant would have A-Team Carpet Clean come out to the property to take care of multiple services for them with a military discount applied:
  • Clean floor tile and grout
  • Stretch the carpet if there are ripples in the carpet
  • Repair any damages to the carpet
  • Perform a Basic Cleaning or Deep Cleaning to all carpet in the house
  • Remove any red stains (RED REMOVAL PROCESS) that did not come out with the original cleaning & spot treatment
  • Dye (COLOR CORRECTION) any areas on the carpet that have been bleached out from cleaners or spills
  • Provide the tenant/customer with a receipt via email after payment
  • Make sure the tenant/customer is happy with their services

With the second option, the tenant can shop around for vendors and choose what they are going to spend for a service if the service is needed. We hope you find our PCS move-out season tips helpful. All of us at A-Team Carpet Clean would like to thank all active and retired military for their service to our country! 

How to Remove Rug Stains

How do I remove this stain from my area rug? As professional carpet cleaners in Lawton, Oklahoma we get asked this question frequently. After trying probably every over-the-counter stain remover on the market, we have found a couple of DIY stain removal tips to try before spending your money on cleaners that don’t work or calling a professional carpet and rug cleaner. Sometimes a stain will come out easily, and sometimes professional cleaning services may be needed – all stains and area rugs are different!

Like “The Dude”, we know how well a rug can pull a room together. We’ve got DIY stain removal tips to extend the life of your rug, man. 

DIY Stain Removal for Rugs:

1. VERY IMPORTANT – Before starting, make sure the rug is not a high end oriental rug as it may bleed. Check the tab. Click here for a good article giving 3 signs of a quality oriental rug.
2. Mix 32 oz. of water to 1 tablespoon of Dawn liquid detergent. Mix well and put in spray bottle. (If it’s an oil-based stain the Dawn should help out.)
3. Spray enough to saturate the affected area.
4. Lightly agitate and dab a little bit to smear the area.
5. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
6. Now extract with water and wet/dry ShopVac. Do not use a regular vacuum!
7. If the stain comes up all the way, place a fan to dry the area. If not, repeat process one more time.
8. If the stain is still there we recommend contacting your local professional carpet and rug cleaner. Upon inspection they should be able to give you a good idea if the stain is even removable or not.

Seem like too many steps? We agree. Make it easier on yourself and use our Spot Out Spot Remover instead! Not only is it safe for carpets, pets, and people, it’s ready to use with no rinsing required, plus it’s residue-free. Spot Out is so effective that one application may be all you need to remove any carpet, rug, or upholstery stain. Just spot, dab, dry, and you’re done! Click here to learn more or to place an order for A-Team Carpet Clean’s Spot Out Stain Remover.

 

 

A Local Guide to Lawton, Oklahoma

Hi! We’re The Collins, owners of A-Team Carpet Clean in Lawton, Oklahoma.

As a long-time resident of Lawton, Oklahoma, I know how important it is to find a business where you trust to spend your hard-earned money. As a small business owner I know the importance of supporting our city by shopping local. Over the years, my wife and I have developed working relationships with local folks that are trustworthy, hard-working, and dependable. We hope this local guide to Lawton, Oklahoma will help you on your journey in finding the best-of-the-best in our awesome city – from our perspective at least. Did we forget anyone? Please Contact Us to let us know about your favorite local businesses in Lawton, Oklahoma. If you happen to use any of our recommendations, tell ’em Chris & Krystal Collins of A-Team Carpet Clean sent you!

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Best Flower Shop:  A Better Design of Lawton (ask for Joann)

Best Salon:  The Fringe Salon

Best Daycare:  Children of Joy Learning Academy

Best Fresh Homemade Pizza:  Fat Boys Pizza

Best Mexican Restaurant:  Salas Urban Cantina

Best Burgers:  Back Porch Drafthouse

Best Car Hop:  Wayne’s Drive Inn

Best Event Rentals:  Party Productions

Best Veterinarian:  Midtown Animal Hospital

Best Commercial Refrigeration:  Carl’s Commercial Refrigeration (ask for Guy)

Best Flooring Companies:  Lawton Floor Covering, Mel’s Interior Finish, & Cobb’s Floor Covering

Best House Cleaners:  Kingdom Keepers (ask for Micah Johnson) & Sparkling Clean (ask for Paul Pope)

Best Moving Company:  Coleman Moving (ask for Danny)

Best Hotels:  Comfort Suites (ask for Candy) & Candlewood Suites (ask for Melinda)

Best Property Management Companies:

Corvias Military Living

Elgin Realty

Chance Realty

P&B Rentals

Park Jones Realty

Perry Performance Realty

Crossroads Realty (ask for Valeria Key)

Best Apartment Complexes:  Legend Park Apartments & Harland Properties

Best Landscaping:  4D Lawn & Landscape

Best Pest Control:  Environmental Pest Control

Best Tire Shop:  Kasey’s Tire & Auto

Best Internet, Cable, & Phone Service:  Hilliary Communications

 

Which Vacuum is Best? – A Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide

As a professional carpet cleaner, I am asked quite regularly which vacuum cleaner is best, so I try to stay on top of the top vacuum styles, their key features, and details about what type of cleaning is best suited for each one. I’ve done a little research for you in the large variety of vacuum cleaners available nowadays and will also give you my personal recommendation.

If you search for the best vacuum cleaner on Google, you will get tons of information thrown your way. I have weeded through the many articles and blogs in order to share with you the best and most accurate information I could find. I also put together a blog that lists the best rated vacuums on the internet. Here are the links to my favorite ones:

How to Buy a Vacuum Cleaner in 2017: This article is a complete buying guide that breaks down the different models of vacuum cleaners so you will know which type is best for your home.

Best Rated Vacuum Cleaners of 2017: I did a little research for you to find the best rated vacuum cleaners for carpets in 2017 according to reviews on amazon.com, reviews.com, and consumerreports.org.

Best Vacuums for Allergy Sufferers: 6 picks for the best vacuum cleaners for allergy sufferers from Consumer Reports’  after testing of a variety of brands and models in July 2017.

My personal preference is the Shark vacuum. We have a toddler and pets so our vacuum cleaners are regularly used. They run around $159-$200 and have a five year warranty that I have used twice. We have four sharks in different models, and when one breaks I call the company and they send me a new head or part. Customer service is great and the longevity is valuable.

I also recommend having your carpet professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded soil. A-Team Carpet Clean of Lawton, OK recommends daily vacuuming as the most important cleaning activity to extend the life of your carpet and enjoy a clean, healthy home.

I hope my tips and research help you navigate through the world of vacuum cleaners!

Author: Chris Collins

Owner, A-Team Carpet Clean, Inc.

580-713-1018 | chris@ateamcarpetclean.com

www.ateamcarpetclean.com | Lawton, OK

Best Rated Vacuum Cleaners of 2017

As professional carpet cleaners, we know how important it is for your home to be clean and healthy. A healthy home starts from the ground up with clean carpet. Research shows that properly maintained carpet promotes improved indoor air quality for you and your family. In addition to having your carpet professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded soil, we recommend daily vacuuming as the most important cleaning activity to extend the life of your carpet and enjoy a clean, healthy home.

Professional carpet cleaning will get dirt and soil out that vacuuming can’t.

Carpet Repair Before & After

Carpets take a lot of wear, tear, rips, and stains. Sometimes the damage is repairable, and other times it has to be replaced. You would be surprised at what a carpet repair or color restoration specialist can do to save your carpet. Carpet repair is a more affordable option than replacing your entire carpet, so check with a professional to see if your damage can be repaired. Here are some before and after pictures of carpet repair, carpet stretching, color restoration, and spot removal done by the specialists at A-Team Carpet Clean in Lawton, Oklahoma. Keep scrolling for some DIY carpet repair tips!

Carpet Stretching & Carpet Repair

Before & After Pics

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Carpet Stretching

Carpet Stretching

Carpet Stretching

DIY Carpet Repair Tips from the professionals at A-Team Carpet Clean in Lawton, OK to keep that damaged spot from getting worse:

• Never pull any strings and always cut with scissors or a razor.
• If you see a tear in the carpet try to cover the area with a rug, runner, or anything so that it gets little foot traffic. This will slow down the rate that the fibers come loose from the primary backing.
• Be careful when vaccuming because the rotary rollers can do more damage to the loose fibers.
• If you are in need of professional carpet repair services, please check for carpet remnates in closets or attics with the same style and color of carpet. If none is avalabile a closet may be the next choice to remove carpet from. Most reputable carpet repair businesses such as A-Team Carpet Clean offer a replacement remnant for closets (one standard style and color which is not guaranteed to match carpet in closet).

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Color Restoration & Spot Removal

Before & After Pics

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Pet Stain Removal & Prevention

Black lights show pet urine stains beyond what the eye can see.

Pet stains are not only gross, they are damaging to your carpet and floors. As professional carpet cleaners, we have seen pet urine stains and smells that are so bad they cannot be removed, which leads to expensive carpet replacement. “Pet urine stains is among the top reasons we replace carpets in homes.” said Marc Holt spokesperson for 651 Carpets. We love our pets and want to share our home with dogs and cats without having to spend money to clean up after them all the time. Following are some things you can do to prevent pet urine stains and our tips for pet stain removal.

Pet Stain Prevention

Prevention is the key to keeping your carpets free from pet urine stains through proper house training techniques, signs of pet illness, and applying carpet protector regularly.

House Training Tips from Dr. Black – We are experts on carpets, not dogs or cats. So we asked a local veterinarian to share her tips on proper house training techniques in order to prevent accidents from happening. Dr. Catrina Black, D.V.M. of Midtown Animal Hospital in Lawton, Oklahoma says:

For dogs, I think the best way to potty train is with positive reinforcement. Start with small puppy pads too. Some of them have pheromones to attract the puppies to urinate on them. When they are used to a pad you just start slowly moving it toward the door then outside. A lot of dogs will learn from other dogs too especially if you have a doggy door. Also, reward them after they do their business outside with a treat. Any accidents need to be cleaned and sanitized immediately so the area doesn’t smell like a good place to urinate in the future.

Cats will naturally want a litter box. It needs to be cleaned or scooped several times a day. Leaving poop or urine in a litter box is like not flushing the toilet. Nobody thinks it’s cool to lift the lid and see a gross surprise. Keep the litter deep and it is easier to keep cleaned. There should be a litter box per cat plus one. So a house with 3 cats needs 4 litter boxes. These boxes should also be placed in quiet low traffic areas where they feel safe to go. Most inappropriate elimination issues with cats are behavioral such as the cat not liking the dirty box, not enough boxes, or a stressor in-house like a new puppy not letting your cat get to the box.

Pet Expert – Dr. Catrina Black, D.V.M.

Pet Urination Problems – Again, we asked Dr. Black, D.V.M. how to know if something is medically wrong with your cat or dog or if it’s just house training woe. She advised when to see a veterinarian:

• If they are constantly having inappropriate elimination issues, have your vet rule out infections or other diseases first.
• You should seek medical attention for any animal that is not producing urine. They could have a urinalysis blockage. That is an emergency. Cats, especially neutered males, can have a buildup in the urethra that can block them. Both dogs and cats can have urinary stones called uroliths.
• Bloody urine, super dark urine, or large amounts of urine also needs to be checked out. The animal could have anything from a urinary tract infection to diabetes.
• Even normal animals should have a urinalysis done every 6 months to identify and remedy any problems that may arise. Spending $40 every six months is better than $1000 for a urinary issue. An ounce of prevention is work 10 lbs. of cure.

Protect your Carpet – Carpet Protectors such as Scotchgard will form a protective seal around each carpet fiber to prevent spills from soaking in immediately, keeping them on the surface until they can be blotted up. Carpet protectors will not prevent pet urine from creating a stain, however the stain will not soak in immediately and give you time to clean it up without immediate damage. Most professional carpet cleaning companies recommend your carpets to have Scotchgard re-applied after a deep clean. A deep carpet clean removes the protector along with the soil in the fibers leaving it a neutral ph.

Pet Stain Removal

Professional grade stain removers actually work!

We would like to say there is a DIY pet urine removal trick that actually works, but the key is to remove the urine quickly and with a professional product.

Carpet Cleaning Products – Most carpet cleaning companies will recommend a quality stain remover to purchase for use at home in-between professional cleanings. Sometimes they will even make their own pet stain removal product, such as A-Team Carpet Clean’s Urine Stain Remover. Carpet cleaning products sold in stores are not professional grade and do not remove the urine or the odor, so the extra cost for a professional cleaner is worth the price.

Professional Deep Carpet Cleaning & Stain Removal – Your carpets should be professionally deep cleaned a minimum of once a year, but more often if you have pets that live in the home. A professional cleaner has the equipment and products necessary to remove not only dirt and grime, but also pet hair and possibly urine stains. If a professional is not able to remove a pet urine stain, then it cannot be done and your carpets will need to be repaired or completely replaced.

We hope you find these tips helpful in maintaining a clean home for you and your pets.

We LOVE our furry mascot, Axel!

Water Damage Prevention

Did you know that water damage is among the top 3 reasons that homeowners in Lawton, Oklahoma file an insurance claim year after year? Reduce the risk of incurring water damage in your home this winter with these water damage prevention tips.

Common Winter Issues

From our experience in water extraction services, the most common leak prone areas during the winter months are bathroom sinks, outside water faucets, hot water tanks, and attics with plumbing. Recommendations for water damage prevention:

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  Busted pipes will flood a bathroom.

  

  3 feet of water damage here!

  

  Mold & mildew form very quickly!

  Bathrooms – When the temperature falls below freezing, keep bathroom cabinet doors open and leave hot and cold faucets at a steady low stream. These tips are good for all faucets within your home.

• Outside faucets – Protect outside faucets with an insulated cover. Try not to use outside faucets during the winter. This helps reduce the risk of frozen pipes. If you have a crawlspace under your home, be sure to close vents and ensure pipes are properly insulated during the winter.

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  Pipes in the attic are prone to freezing.

  Hot water tanks – The average life expectancy of a water heater is 8-12 years, dependent on many different factors. Tanks that are never drained tend to leak earlier. Click here for more tips from Lowe’s about when to replace a water heater.

• Attic plumbing – Attic pipes are more prone to freeze. This can cause a major flood in your home. If your plumbing is in the attic, it needs to be properly insulated in order to prevent freezing and bursting.

When Prevention Does Not Work

So you tried our water damage prevention tips but the elements had another idea? Sometimes the best preventative methods cannot stop a catastrophe from happening. If a flood occurs in your home or business, immediately call a professional cleaning company to perform proper water extraction services. Don’t try to clean up the water damage on your own; mold and bacteria can form in your carpets and walls within hours. Only professional cleaning equipment can safely and completely remove water damage in your home. A Team Carpet Clean offers 24/7 emergency water extraction services to residents and businesses in Lawton, Oklahoma and surrounding areas of Comanche County.

Emergency water extraction services available 24/7 in Lawton, Oklahoma!

Holiday Cleaning Tips & Specials

Time is flying by because the holiday season is here! Thanksgiving is this week, then comes Christmas, and 2016 will be upon us before you know it. Holidays mean friends and family come together to celebrate the season – is your home ready for guests?
A-Team Carpet Clean’s holiday newsletter will help you prepare for the hustle and bustle with cleaning tips, SPECIALS, and much more. Happy Holidays!

The Holidays are Coming & so are the Inlaws!
Is your home ready for holiday guests? A clean home not only looks good, but is also important for your health. Check out our house cleaning tips in Home for the Holidays: How to Clean your House for Guests and our other cleaning-related blogs. For your deep cleaning needs, contact your local professional cleaning company or if you live in Comanche County of Oklahoma then give us a call at 580-713-1018 to clean your carpet, upholstery, and tile floors.

Local Carpet Cleaning Specials
Most local professional cleaning companies run holiday cleaning specials so take advantage of those now while at a discounted rate. For example, we at A-Team Carpet Clean in Lawton, Oklahoma are offering a Holiday Carpet Cleaning Special. Clients will receive a low moisture maintenance cleaning at $55 for the first room and only $10 for each additional room. A low moisture maintenance cleaning is ideal for brightening up high traffic areas and removing some spots, plus your carpets are dry within an hour or two! This special does not apply to rental move-outs that require a deep cleaning in order to get a deposit back.  If you live in Comanche County of Oklahoma, contact A-Team today and schedule your cleaning before your holiday guests arrive!

Water Emergency?
Like most local professional cleaning companies A-Team is available 24/7 for flood emergency services; including water extraction and water damage repair. Every winter we respond to calls concerning flooding and water damage due to busted, frozen pipes. Check out our Water Damage Testing Tips so you know how to test for moisture in your home in the event of a flood. Contact us for professional water extraction services in Comanche County of Oklahoma and your home will be clean and dry within 24 hours.

Happy Holidays from our Family to Yours
Here at A-Team, we are not just co-workers. We are family and would like for you to get to know us better from our new website biographies coming soon.
We know there are other options available in Lawton, OK and are honored to be your choice in professional cleaning services. Thank you for being such loyal customers and friends! From our family to yours, we wish you the warmest greetings of the season and best wishes for happiness in the New Year. ~ Chris Collins, Owner of A-Team

 

Fall Cleaning Checklist

Preparing your home for the fall season doesn’t have to be such a chore. We made a fall cleaning checklist that is broken down into different areas of…let’s say motivation. You can start with the Basic Cleaning – these things absolutely should be done when cleaning your house. The Deep Cleaning and Traditional Extras are recommended for a thorough house cleaning for cosmetic and health related reasons. So turn on some music and get your clean on!

Vacuum, mop, or steam clean floors regularly!

Basic Cleaning (remember to work from top to bottom)

• Wipe down ceiling fans and lights
• Dust tops of doors and door frames
• Dust all surfaces
• Dust corners, edges, and windowsills
• Disinfect door knobs and switches
• Oil wood furniture
• Launder all bedding
• Wash bathroom counters
• Scrub bathtubs and showers
• Disinfect kitchen counter
• Clean appliances
• Vacuum floors and edges
• Mop floors and wash baseboards
• Wash throw rugs

Carpet cleaning will help rid your floors of dirt and allergens so you can breathe easier!

Deep Cleaning

• Clean doors
• Clean A/C intake vent screen and replace filter
• Clean under appliances
• Clean washer and dryer
• Touch up paint where needed
• Wash windows
• Vacuum lampshades
• Clean blinds
• Empty and wash cupboards
• Bathe the dog and cat
• Hire a professional for the following chores:
  • deep cleaning carpets
  • deep cleaning upholstery
  • deep cleaning bathroom and kitchen floors
  • heater maintenance/inspection

Having trouble cleaning out the garage? Have a garage sale!

Traditional Extras

• Rotate and/or flip mattress
• Repair holes in carpet
• Clean out gutters
• Switch out clothing
• Clean out garage
• Clean porch and/or patio
• Yard clean-up
• Clean outdoor lights
• Wash window screens

We hope our fall cleaning checklist makes your house cleaning easier and faster. Please comment with any tips you would like to add to our list.

Happy Fall!