PORTLAND, OR – After living in the Pacific Northwest for over two decades, we love cozy homes and rainy days. But the higher traffic on our upholstery comfort can take a toll — couches, chairs, and sectionals quietly absorb dust, pet dander, and daily life until professional cleaning becomes a must. But when the estimate comes back for professional upholstery cleaning, many homeowners ask: Why does this service cost what it does?

It’s definitely a fair question. With smaller surfaces, you’d assume upholstery cleaning should cost less than cleaning a full room of carpet. So, again, the question becomes, why?

Hands-on, detailed labor

One of the biggest cost drivers is labor. Cleaning upholstery means working on our hands and knees in awkward positions, up close to each cushion, seam, armrest, and corner.

Every piece of furniture is different…tufting, piping, curved arms, cushions that pop out, zero-clearance against walls, pets that use the arms as launch points. Because of that complexity, cleaning a sofa or chair can take up to an hour and a half. 

Smaller tools, more strokes

When cleaning carpet, our technicians often use an extraction wand that covers a wider swath. With upholstery, we switch to a smaller, top of the line upholstery tool designed specifically for upholstery fabrics and tight spaces. That means what might be one or two passes on a carpet will be dozens of passes on a sofa.

At A+, we believe in doing upholstery cleaning right. We inspect your furniture to be sure we use proper techniques and products, and then follow a consistent three-step process that ensures your furniture is cleaned thoroughly and safely:

Step 1: Pre-vacuum

In order to remove dry particles, we pre-vacuum your upholstery prior to wetting it.

Step 2: Pre-spray & agitation

We apply a fabric-safe pre-spray that breaks down body oils, pet dander, food spills, and everyday soil. This step is especially important because upholstery fabric collects much of the hidden dirt in your home: dust, allergens, skin oils, fur. We use a drill powered brush to scrub the tough spots.

Step 3: Rinse & extraction

Using our upholstery wand and hot-water extraction machine, we rinse the fabric and extract the water and cleaning agent. Upholstery fabrics vary wildly (microfiber, linen, cotton, blends) and each one needs the correct amount of moisture, pressure and extraction so we don’t leave the fabric damp or cause damage.

Step 4: Spot clean & dry stroke

After the main cleaning pass, we go over any remaining spots or stains using hand tools and specialized treatments. We then extract excess moisture, which helps the fabric dry quickly and makes it less likely for the upholstery to wick or form ring.

Fabric types matter—one size does not fit all

Your upholstery might look clean — but beneath the surface are fibers, upholstery backing, seams, piping, cushions and frames, all reacting differently to cleaning. At A+, we inspect the fabric type in order to pick the right cleaning chemistry accordingly.

Risk, responsibility & quality

Upholstery cleaning often leaves little margin for error. Too much moisture, too aggressive a chemical, or a misstep — and you risk damage: discoloration, shrinking, or seam distortion. That means we slow down, test, proceed carefully, and take responsibility for the results.

Dry time, finishing touches, local Portland-area considerations

In our Pacific Northwest climate, with higher humidity or less direct sun, drying can take longer. Our goal is a thorough clean and a prompt return to use.

In the Portland, Lake Oswego, West Linn and surrounding metro areas, we’ve found that extra care in finishing pays off for our clients—preventing wicking, water rings or odors later.

The hidden dirt that impacts value

It’s not just what you see. Upholstered furniture hides dust mites, body oils, pet dander, skin cells, airborne particulate matter from your home environment. Up to 80% of the debris brought into the home can settle into upholstered furniture and carpet.

Removing that hidden dirt revitalizes your furniture: it looks better, smells better, handles better, and lasts longer. That has real value when you consider how much you invested in that sofa or chair.

Why it may cost more than you expect—but delivers more than you see

If you’ve ever cleaned a couch yourself with a rental machine, you know the result often falls short. With professional cleaning from A+ in the Portland / Lake Oswego area you’re not just paying for “vacuum and rinse” — you’re paying for:

• Skilled labor up close and personal
• Smaller tool use with many more passes
• A multi-step process fine-tuned for upholstery
• Fabric inspection
• Specialized cleaning solutions and machines
• Finishing and drying everything right

And you get:

• A couch or chair that looks fresher, smells cleaner, functions longer
• Avoided cost of early replacement
• A cleaner, healthier environment for you and your family

What this means for you, right here in the Portland metro

If you’re in Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Tigard, Tualatin, or nearby and your furniture is showing signs of wear — maybe pet spots, noticeable dirt, a sagging appearance, or just a general “lived-in” feel — it might be time.

When you call us, we’ll walk through what to expect, explain our three-step process (pre-spray, rinse, spot/dry stroke), and give you a clear picture of what we can accomplish for the estimate we’ll provide.

In short: your furniture deserves professional care

Professional upholstery cleaning is more than a surface level clean. It’s an investment in the fabric, construction, longevity and performance of your favorite furniture. The visible benefit is the fresh look; the real value is the years of wear you save and the healthier environment you gain.

At A+ Carpet Cleaning, we treat your home like our own. We’re local, family-owned, and committed to honest pricing and excellent results. You’ll find more about our upholstery cleaning services on our dedicated page.

Ready to schedule or learn more?

If you’re in the Portland metro or surrounding areas and want a free estimate or have questions about your furniture, give us a call at 503-314-7453. You can also visit our Contact page.

We’re happy to help you determine an estimate for your furniture, what to expect, and help you protect your investment. Thanks for reading — and thanks for trusting A+ Carpet Cleaning with your home.

Area rugs can be made of a variety of materials: wool, synthetic, or even something like viscose or silk. A higher-end rug may be placed specifically in one part of a room for the sole purpose of aesthetic. Another kind of rug may be placed directly in front of a doorway in the hopes that the rug catches the debris before it can be passed onto the more valuable flooring underneath. Whether you have decorative rugs, practical rugs, or both, it’s important to know how to maintain them.

What You Can Do

Vacuum: Make sure to vacuum your area rug at least once a week. Whether it’s in a high traffic area or not, area rugs are prone to collect dry debris like dust, allergens, and dander. By vacuuming once a week, you are clearing your rug out and not allowing a build up of debris to break down the rug fibers (which would eventually give it a permanently “worn” appearance).

Keep the rugs moving

We don’t mean on wheels. If you rotate your area rugs through your home, you are essentially allowing them to “take turns” in the places where the sun shines the harshest in your home. The sun’s rays can cause color fading in an area rug, so swapping out which rug is where can go a long way in lengthening the time you have with your area rug and its vibrancy.

Buy a pad

If your area rug is on a hardwood floor, tile, concrete, or any kind of hard surface, putting a pad underneath it is a small investment that goes a long way. Not only that, but it keeps the area rug from slipping around so much, making it less of a fall hazard in your home.

Instigate some rug-protection rules

Our area rugs are part of our home, and often have a lot of sentimental value. Some rugs are passed down through generations. Others are purchased on once-in-a-lifetime trips. Whether your rug holds a special place in your heart or you just don’t want to have to buy a new one sooner than necessary, it’s always a good idea to have rules in place that act as rug-preservation.

One of these rules: a shoe-free zone

You might already be a shoes-at-the-door kind of household. Or you might keep your shoes on the whole time you’re in your home. Either way, making sure your decorative rugs do not get trod on by mud-caked shoes is a great way to lengthen their lives and your investment. According to CBS News, about a third of the dust and dirt in your home comes from outside, either blown in or tramped in on shoe bottoms.  That’s a fairly high ratio and taking shoes off or not walking on area rugs with shoes on doesn’t sound like such a crazy concept after reading a statistic like that.

Another tip is to…

Make sure you are flipping any two-sided rugs you own

This will make it so both sides get a use, and one side isn’t showing all the wear right away. This is a similar concept to rotating rugs… but this time, you’re flipping them!

Get the Professional Rug Cleaners Involved

When it comes to area rug cleaning, there is no one better than a professional area rug cleaner. Not only do we have commercial grade equipment and products, but our experience and knowledge helps us tackle any spot or stain with confidence. Did you know that area rug cleaning is, in many ways, a science? Our methods and products vary depending on the source of a stain. Each type of spot has it’s own chemistry, the type of rug factors in to that chemistry, and then you have the variables like how long the stain has been sitting, if it was treated with something else before we got there… etc.

Mike, the co-owner of the business, believes firmly in taking care of each client by seeing their individual needs. Each area rug is handled with care and with the specific attention it needs. A natural fiber like wool or cotton is more sensitive than synthetic materials like polypropylene.  A higher pile shag takes more time to work on than a low-pile because we are making sure we are cleaning the entire length of each carpet fiber.

As a local & family business, we truly desire to make sure that your area rug is taken care of. We offer pick up and drop off if you are unable to get the area rug to our shop. We have experience cleaning synthetic, wool, cotton, viscose, silk, shag, and many other different kinds of rugs. We have cleaned rugs with tags on the back, and we’ve cleaned rugs that were brought in from other countries, we’ve cleaned rugs that were passed down from grandparents, and we’ve cleaned rugs that were just recently purchased out of an auction that just needed a good deep cleaning.

Area rugs are much like wall-to-wall carpet in that it is typically good to have them professionally cleaned every 1-2 years. If you haven’t had a professional rug cleaning within that timeframe, feel free to give us a call! You can reach us at 503-314-7453.  If you have any questions about rug cleaning, carpet cleaning, or any of our other services, we’d sure love to hear from you!

Reviews about area rug cleaning:

“I have used A+ carpet cleaning for 10 years and will not use anyone else. They are excellent at getting out stains and dirt even when other companies have told me it’s ground into the carpet and cannot be gotten out. This happened when I moved into my home. They also do a great job on my lambs wool area rug.” – Sue A

“Great job. Friendly, efficient, and fast turn around! No funny smells, just a clean rug that looks near new. I will definitely recommend Tiki and Mike for area rug cleaning.” – Hill R.

“I had a beautiful handmade wool area rug cleaned by A+, it was a rug that my parents used in our house growing up and it had not been cleaned in probably 30 years. There were plenty of stains and a lost of dirt and grim from being in storage for years. The end result was beautiful! The rug looks so nice and is now ready for a long life ahead of it in our home. Tiki was great to work with, and drop-off and pick-up was quick and easy. It took a little over a week to get it cleaned and the price was very reasonable. I would highly recommend A+ to anyone! Excellent family business!” – Katie B

So yes, there’s definitely a wide variety of different types of carpet. It can differ in color, material, pile…the list goes on. However, what one thing does all carpet have in common?

It’s supposed to lay flat.

While the concept might be intriguing, having ripples and waves in your carpet is not good. Not only is it detrimental to the carpets itself, but a bubbling carpet can be a trip hazard for those not paying attention. So what do you do when the carpet is rippling? Some believe that the only option is to replace the carpet in the entire room. Thankfully, that is not necessarily the case.

Companies like A+ Carpet Cleaning can professionally do carpet stretching to set a room back into place using the correct methods and tools. This saves you the money on a complete replacement, and it is typically an easier service to arrange and manage. So how does it work?

Do I need carpet stretching?

If you have a ripple, bubble, wave, etc. in your carpet, it likely needs to be stretched back into place.  Depending on the age of the home, carpet bubbling can be the result of age or of improper installation. The longer you wait to have a professional lay the carpet out flat again, the more damage there will be to the carpet fibers. Walking over the folded carpet over an extended period of time can break the carpet down, leaving it looking worn even after it is stretched back into place.

How does carpet stretching work?

Step one? Give us a call at 503-314-7453! We are happy to walk you through the exact process, as well as provide you with an estimate for services. In order for us to be able to provide our best estimate, we typically ask you the total square footage of the rooms needing stretched (total in the room, not total square footage not covered by furniture). Pricing can be different depending on if the carpet is laid on subfloor or if it’s laid on something else like concrete or directly on hardwood. We will also ask if there are any pillars or electrical outlets in the carpet.

Once we’ve gathered the information we need, we’ll provide you with an estimate as well as the next possible appointment to schedule.

Prior to the appointment, we’ll ask you to send photos that provide us with a full scope of the room. Typically, the easiest way to do that is to stand from the doorway, take a photo, walk to the other side of the room, take a photo, and then take any additional photos until you feel that they are a good representation of the room, where the furniture is, and where the restretching is needed. Rather than zooming in on just the ripple itself, it’s more helpful for us to have a panoramic view of the entire room, as the technician will be reviewing the photos prior to the appointment and calling you to let you know if furniture needs to be moved.

That brings us to another very common question:

Do I need to move furniture in order for you to stretch my carpets?

We will get the best stretch out of the carpets if there isn’t furniture in the room. That being said, if emptying a room is not possible, we will use the photos you send as a guide for what furniture will need to be moved and what can stay. Needed furniture movement varies depending on the job, so the scheduler will not be able to say for sure over the phone if you will need to move furniture or not. If you are unable to move furniture on your own, the technician is always happy to move furniture when he gets there. He would let you know the price of furniture movement once the photos of the rooms needing stretched are received.

How do you stretch carpets?

At A+ Carpet Cleaning, we perform carpet stretching by using a method called power-stretching. Rather than just knee kicking the carpets back into place, we lift the carpet off the tack strip on the side of the room we are stretching towards. Then, the technician cuts away any excess carpet to line it up. The carpet is then power stretched into place and re-attached to the tack strip.

Will the carpet blend in well after it’s stretched?

This question is exactly why we recommend allowing us to both clean and stretch the carpets. When we don’t clean & reset the carpet fibers after doing re-stretching, often the carpet will still have the appearance of ripples because of the uneven wear/soiling to the carpet to the peak of them. We are always happy to send photos of what that looks like so our clients understand why we suggest carpet cleaning after carpet stretching.

Carpet stretching…

If you need carpet stretching in Portland or the surrounding areas, we’d love to hear from you! Not only is A+ Carpet Cleaning a local, family business, but Mike, the owner, has over fifteen years of experience with carpet repair and carpet stretching. You know you’re in good hands! Mike has an eye for detail and a dedication to achieving great results, which is why we use the equipment, methods, and products that we use. We love questions, so even if you’re not feeling ready to get on the schedule, we hope that you don’t hesitate in giving us a call at 503-314-7453. We are open Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm. The time of year is upon us for spring cleaning, and freshening up your carpets in your home could be just a phone call away!

Did you know that needing multiple runs to dry is a classic sign you may be overdue for dryer vent cleaning services? If you are experiencing the example above, that is also a tell tale sign that it’s time to call in the professionals.

Imagine it. You finally motivated yourself enough to begin on the enormous mountain of laundry that has been growing at an unexplainable rate. You hear the chime or buzz of your dryer, telling you that you can move on to load number two. You open the dryer door… only to find your laundry still damp, but extremely hot. You want to be on top of your appliance maintenance for many reasons, and here’s just a few.

Dryer Vent Cleaning Services Save You Money

Believe it or not, making sure you’re cleaning your dryer vent routinely is a surefire way to get the most out of it. Not only will it last longer because it’s being regularly cared for, but it is also going to be operating at it’s highest efficiency. When there is a build up of lint or other debris within your dryer duct, the dryer has to work much harder in order to do its job, creating a decrease in efficiency and sometimes making you run the dryer two, three, or even four times just to get the job done.

You are also saving yourself from having to deal with a costly repair. Leaving the dryer duct to develop a high amount of build up can sometimes end in the dryer itself breaking down or throwing up codes that simple dryer vent cleaning services can no longer fix. While that’s not always the case, it’s typically a better idea to stay on top of your appliance maintenance before a costly fix comes your way.

The time is now!

Did you know that thicker clothing in your dryer is likely to produce more lint? We are finally emerging from our Portland NW winter, and the season of knits, wool, and basically, thick clothing galore. Now that it’s the end of the season, why not bring your dryer duct into Spring with the newness and cleanliness that many other things experience during this time of year.

Your Dryer Deserves it

We’ve come a long way in the world of laundry. I don’t know about you, but I am very grateful to be living in a time where there are machines that can complete the entire process of washing and drying my clothes. Things were not always this easy.

In fact, the dryer as you know it today wasn’t truly crafted until the 1930s and didn’t have timers or auto-shut-off features until the 1950s. Before that, there existed the “Laundry Drying Tumbler,” which was a hand-cranked device that was able to use air in order to dry clothes. It was heated by gas and operated by an electric motor. Imagine having to spend your time hand-cranking your dryer in order to dry your clothes. Or what dryer vent cleaning services looked like at that time!

It honestly wasn’t that long ago that clotheslines were the method for drying, even in the winter. So if you think about it, our dryers are precious parts of our every day lives and definitely deserve to be upkept.

You’re Supporting Local

By calling A+ Carpet Cleaning, you are supporting a local, family business that has had the pleasure of serving the Portland Metro area for over two decades. Mike & Tiki Honkanen, owners, raised their boys while growing their company, putting the real family in family business. Supporting local businesses is you taking interest and part in your community. When you go out of your way to support local, you are investing in the physical economy you reside in, as well as make a much larger difference than if you had been giving money to a large corporation.

Who You’re Hiring

Not only is A+ Carpet Cleaning a local business, but the methods and equipment we use meet nothing less than the highest of standards. When you hire us, you know you are going to be getting personal and genuine customer care as well as professional service and results.

What Portland folks have said about us…

Meredith C. “We had my air ducts and dryer vent cleaning services by A+. Mike was very kind and helpful. After he was done cleaning our vents, he helped educate us about how to get the most out of our HVAC system. We tried out his hints and our heat is already working better to heat the whole house. The office people at A+ are also very nice and responsive. I appreciated their prompt replies. Overall, it was a great experience and I will definitely be calling them again for all my air duct and carpet cleaning needs!”

Priscilla C. “A+ carpet and cleaning came out to clean our air ducts and dryer vent. They did a great job and were super courteous and professional. Highly recommend!”

Liz L. “We’ve used A+ Carpet for all kinds of services since we moved into our first house! They’ve cleaned our carpets, air ducts and dryer vent and repaired the carpet on our stairs. Everytime they come they are super professional, kind and knowledgeable. Mike and his team are the best! We’d recommend them to anyone.”

What To Do Now…

Give us a call at 503-314-7453! We’d love the chance to clean your dryer vent. If it’s been over three years since you’ve had your air ducts cleaned, we can also perform that service for you, and reduce the dryer vent cleaning services price as a result! If you’re still not sure, you can always email us at info@aplusqualitycleaning.net. We will look forward to servicing your home!

Understanding the Significance of Clean Tile and Grout

Tile and grout surfaces are ubiquitous in households and commercial spaces, adorning kitchen floors, bathroom walls, and more. While these surfaces are known for their durability, their porous nature makes them susceptible to dirt, stains, and microbial growth. Neglecting regular cleaning can not only detract from the visual appeal of your space but also compromise its hygiene. Therefore, adopting an effective cleaning regimen is paramount to preserving the integrity and cleanliness of your tile and grout surfaces.

The A+ Carpet Cleaning Methodology:

Our team at A+ Carpet Cleaning employs a systematic 3-step approach to deliver exceptional results in tile and grout cleaning. Each step of our process is carefully designed to address specific challenges and ensure thorough cleaning and restoration of your surfaces. Let’s delve into the intricacies of each stage:

Step 1: Pre-Treatment for Optimal Soil Removal: The foundation of our cleaning process lies in pre-treating the tile and grout surfaces with specialized solutions. These solutions are formulated to penetrate deep into the pores of the tile and grout, breaking down stubborn stains, grease, and dirt. By applying the pre-treatment solution evenly across the surface, our technicians prepare the groundwork for effective soil removal in subsequent steps.

Step 2: Agitation for Enhanced Cleaning: Once the pre-treatment solution has had time to work its magic, we employ various agitation techniques to further loosen embedded dirt and debris. Our technicians utilize brush scrubbing and mechanical agitation to target grime in hard-to-reach areas, ensuring comprehensive cleaning of the tile and grout surfaces. This meticulous approach not only enhances soil removal but also revitalizes the appearance of the surfaces.

Step 3: High-Pressure Hot Water Extraction for Deep Cleaning: The final step in our cleaning process involves high-pressure hot water extraction, a powerful method for deep cleaning tile and grout surfaces. Using state-of-the-art equipment, we deliver a concentrated stream of hot pressurized water to effectively dislodge and extract dirt, grease, and contaminants from the surfaces. This thorough cleaning process not only restores the cleanliness of the tile and grout but also promotes faster drying times, minimizing the risk of mold and mildew growth.

Optional Step: Sealing for Long-Term Protection: For clients seeking extended protection for their tile and grout surfaces, we offer an optional sealing service. By applying a premium-quality sealer, we create a protective barrier that prevents dirt, stains, and moisture from penetrating the surfaces. This additional layer of protection not only prolongs the cleanliness of the surfaces but also simplifies future maintenance, saving you time and effort in the long run.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

In addition to our professional cleaning services, it’s essential to be aware of common mistakes to avoid when cleaning tile and grout:

1. Neglecting Regular Maintenance: Waiting too long between cleanings can allow dirt and grime to accumulate, making the cleaning process more challenging. Regular sweeping or vacuuming can prevent buildup and prolong the cleanliness of your surfaces.
2. Using Incorrect Cleaning Products: Not all cleaning products are suitable for tile and grout. Using harsh chemicals or acidic solutions can damage the surface or cause discoloration. Opt for pH-neutral cleaners designed specifically for tile and grout maintenance.
3. Skipping Sealing: Failing to seal your tile and grout leaves them vulnerable to stains and moisture penetration, undermining the effectiveness of your cleaning efforts. Sealing provides an additional layer of protection, preserving the cleanliness and longevity of your surfaces.
4. Overlooking Grout Lines: Grout lines are notorious for trapping dirt and grime, yet they are often overlooked during the cleaning process. Ensure thorough agitation and extraction techniques are applied to grout lines to achieve uniform cleanliness across the entire surface.
5. Allowing Excess Moisture: Leaving excess moisture on tile and grout surfaces can lead to mold and mildew growth, undoing your cleaning efforts and potentially causing health hazards. Proper drying techniques, such as using fans or towels, are essential to prevent moisture-related issues.

Now that you’ve learned about our professional 3-step cleaning process for tile and grout, it’s essential to understand the role of regular maintenance in keeping your surfaces looking their best. While our deep cleaning services are fantastic for tackling tough stains and grime, incorporating regular maintenance into your cleaning routine can help prolong the results and maintain the cleanliness of your surfaces over time.

Regular maintenance is like the everyday care that keeps your surfaces in top shape between professional cleanings. Think of it as the little tasks you do regularly to prevent big messes from building up. By incorporating these simple tasks into your cleaning routine, you can extend the lifespan of your tile and grout surfaces and ensure they stay looking fresh and clean.

One of the easiest maintenance practices is to sweep or vacuum your tile floors regularly. This helps remove surface dirt and debris, preventing them from getting ground into the grout lines and making future cleaning more challenging. Just a quick sweep or vacuum once a week can make a big difference in keeping your surfaces clean.

In addition to regular sweeping, it’s essential to wipe down your tile surfaces with a damp mop or cloth on a weekly basis. This helps remove surface stains and spills before they have a chance to set in, keeping your surfaces looking pristine. Be sure to use a pH-neutral cleaner designed specifically for tile and grout to avoid damaging the surfaces with harsh chemicals.

Promptly addressing spills and stains is also crucial for maintaining the cleanliness of your tile and grout surfaces. If you accidentally spill something, be sure to clean it up right away to prevent it from seeping into the grout lines and causing stubborn stains.

Finally, don’t forget to inspect your grout lines periodically for signs of wear or damage. Cracked or deteriorating grout should be repaired promptly to prevent water infiltration and potential damage to underlying surfaces. By staying on top of these maintenance tasks, you can ensure that your tile and grout surfaces maintain their beauty and functionality for years to come

Remember, regular maintenance is the key to prolonging the results of our professional cleaning services and keeping your tile and grout surfaces looking their best. So don’t forget to incorporate these simple tasks into your cleaning routine, and your surfaces will thank you for it!

Achieving and maintaining clean tile and grout surfaces requires a systematic approach and attention to detail. By following our 3-step cleaning process and avoiding common mistakes, you can ensure that your surfaces remain pristine and hygienic. Whether you’re dealing with stubborn stains or simply looking to refresh your tile and grout, our professional cleaning service is here to help you achieve outstanding results. With our expertise and advanced technologies, you can trust us to restore the beauty and cleanliness of your tile and grout surfaces, transforming your space into a pristine oasis of comfort and hygiene.

What to Know Before Calling

We don’t mind if you call for a quote and don’t have all the information for us! However, if you like to be prepared, we’ll likely ask you some of the following questions in order to provide you with our best estimate:

What areas do you want cleaned, and what kind of tile is in each area?

This is where you’d specify if you are wanting us to clean a kitchen floor, a shower, a countertop… or all of the above! We also need to know if the tile is ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, marble, etc.

Do you know the approximate size of the areas?

Our tile cleaning and grout sealing is priced by the square foot. If you have the square footage already prepared, that’s great! If not, we’ll likely ask you some follow up questions to get our best guess, and advise you to measure later on so we can provide you with more of a precise estimate prior to the technician’s arrival. As a family business, we prioritize transparency with your pricing.

Would you like us to seal your tile & grout?

Sealing the tile and grout is usually priced as 50% of the cleaning cost and varies depending on the size of your tiles. If you are asking us to clean granite or marble countertops, we’ll also ask if you would like to polish the counters.

Do you know if your tile has a top coat applied to it? Is the grout painted? Is there a colored grout applied?

If you have a top coat or painted/colored grout, we usually recommend you speak with the technician prior to the service.

Can you send us photos of the areas we are going to be cleaning for you?

Having a photo of the tile we are cleaning is incredibly helpful for our technicians to assess prior to your appointed tile cleaning day. The technician can notify you ahead of time if there is anything he sees of concern, or provide you with an updated estimate based on the visuals if needed. Our goal is for there to be no surprises on your scheduled day.

How to Prepare For Tile & Grout Cleaning

Once we’ve gathered your information and added you into our calendar, it’s official! You are on the schedule! The email you receive will have details about your day and arrival window, and then will ask a couple things in preparation. Please move anything off of the tile/grout that we will be cleaning. For example, if we are doing a countertop, please move any items on the counter somewhere else temporarily. We also ask that you have a parking space fifty feet from the entrance of your home ready as well as a working water spigot fifty feet from where the technician will be directed to park. This ensures our hoses will be able to reach. Notify the scheduler when you call if they are needing to go up or down any stairs with their hoses, or if your home is over 5,000 square feet and may need an additional hose.

Why have your tile cleaned? Why have your grout cleaned?

For some of us, we live in homes where none of the previous owners have done any kind of professional cleaning in the ducts, on the tile, carpets… anything. Yet it all seems to be okay, right? So why start now?

Tile, just like any other surface in your home, can become the resting place for invisible particles and allergens. You’d be amazed at the vibrant color that can return after a professional tile cleaning. After years of seeing a faded and worn looking tile, you may have forgotten about how sparkling and vivid it once was.

All that being said, if you have any other questions or want to talk it through, we are available via phone call & text (503-314-7453) as well as email (info@aplusqualitycleaning.net). As a family business, we’d love for 2024 to be the year your home is fresher, cleaner, and brighter than ever.

A+ Carpet Cleaning – Portland
2885 NW 111th Ct, Portland, OR 97229
(503) 314-7453
https://carpetcleanerportland.com/ 

If you do any amount of laundry on a regular basis, the washer and dryer are two vital parts of your week. Having clean clothes to wear, clean sheets to use, and clean towels in the bathroom is a good feeling… a feeling that many of us want to protect at all costs.

As you continue to use your dryer, the amount of lint and debris in the vent can build up, which is why  professional dryer vent cleaning is important! As with anything in our home, did you realize that your dryer requires maintenance to function at its best? During the process of drying, heat is cycled through the machine while a fan blows, allowing heated air, lint, and moisture out of the machine and into the dryer vent.

What is a dryer vent?

You may know what a dryer vent looks like, but there’s more to it than that! A dryer vent can vary in shape and size, but its function is the same. If you could see through walls, you would notice a tube running from your clothes dryer to the exterior of your home. Some dryer vents are as long as 35 feet , while others are as short as three feet.  Regardless of how long it is, there is potential for eventual clogging, which will greatly reduce the effectiveness of your dryer as well as create an eventual fire hazard.

What are signs I need dryer vent cleaning?

There are a couple telltale signs that your dryer vent might be in need of a professional clean. Sooner Cleaning + Restoration came up with a list of a few:

The dryer is taking multiple cycles to dry the clothes: This one seems like a no-brainer! If you aren’t getting dry clothes after a 45 minute cycle, that’s a typical symptom of a dryer vent needing a clean.

When you take the clothes out, they are extremely hot: No, this doesn’t mean your dryer is doing an extra good job. What’s happening? The fan is trying to blow the heated air out through a vent that is clogged, so the heated air is trapped in the dryer. An easy way to tell if your vent is clogged is to go to the external end and see if you can feel any air coming out.

The room is warmer than normal when the dryer is running: Hot air trapped in your dryer = hot air going into your home.

You smell something burning when you run the dryer: Lint is flammable, and dryers run fairly hot in order to get your clothes nice and dry. If you are smelling a burning smell whenever you are drying your clothes, we’d recommend calling a professional dryer vent cleaner as soon as possible.

How do you clean a dryer vent?

We clean dryer vents by inserting an air compressor hose that goes up the vent and blasts any existing lint towards the output as we retrieve the hose. The debris is brought back to our truck mounted machine.

The difficulty of cleaning a dryer vent can vary depending on where the output is, if it has any clogs that need to be removed, how long the venting is, and if the dryer or dryer vent is easily accessible or removeable. A vent that is on the third story, for example, will pose more of a challenge than a dryer vent that outputs at ground level on the side of your home.

With 15+ years of dryer vent cleaning under our belts, we’ve overcome a wide variety of challenges. We have helped remove not just clogs, but other miscellaneous items such as dead animals, construction debris, and household items.

How often should I have my dryer vent cleaned?

Typically, dryer vents should be cleaned at least once a year. Making sure that your dryer vent is free of build up is a great way to maximize the efficiency of your dryer and reduce the risk of a fire hazard.

Can I clean my dryer vent myself?

To maximize the end result, it’s always best to call in a professional. At A+ Carpet Cleaning, we even reduce dryer vent cleaning if we are already there cleaning your air ducts, so it’s a win-win! If you utilize the wrong method or tool on your dryer vent, you may do more harm than good. Particularly when you have a long vent or are already having difficulties with your dryer, we’d highly recommend letting us help you using our commercial-grade equipment and years of professional experience.

When should I clean my dryer vent?

You can have your dryer vent cleaned any day of the year—Summer, Winter, Spring and Fall! Though we’ll be in a rainy season for a little while longer, that doesn’t have to prevent you from taking care of your dryer and taking care of your home. You can give us a call at 503-314-7453.

A+ Carpet Cleaning – Portland
2885 NW 111th Ct, Portland, OR 97229
(503) 314-7453
https://carpetcleanerportland.com/ 

Because we live on and around them, our upholstery can be the victim of staining and spots (time for some upholstery stain removal!). Food, pets, drinks… there are endless sources for a mysterious new stain on a cushion. Thankfully, a professional upholstery cleaning service can help! Rather than immediate begin looking for a replacement, we’d encourage you to consider hiring a professional cleaner, like us! A+ Carpet Cleaning has specialized in upholstery stain removal for over 15 years. Our processes, products, and equipment are all top notch, and we firmly believe in getting the best results possible.

If you are staring down a stain on your lounge chair, or looking at the spot your dog always sleeps on the couch, we’d love to be of service to you. We can help with a wide variety of upholstery stains, and we’d love to save you the money of replacing your upholstery. According to livingcozy.com, most people pay somewhere between $1,500 and $3,000 for a new sofa! 

What We Can Help With

Coffee and Tea Stains

A hot beverage in the morning is a very common way to start one’s day, whether it’s coffee, tea… even hot chocolate. Okay, so maybe you make yourself an iced coffee in the morning. Either way, something about a flavorful drink makes us seek it first thing after we wake up.

Where do you drink your morning beverage? If you enjoy sitting in your chairs or couches while you drink your coffee, you’ve likely experienced the unfortunate event of a coffee/tea spill. While that’s always an unfortunate start to the day, call a professional upholstery cleaner right away to help. And make a mental note if there was cream present or not—it does make a difference!

Red Wine

So, we’ve talked about beginning of the day beverages… now, what about end of the day beverages? A glass of wine is a favored way to relax in the evening, and what better place to enjoy it than your living or sitting room? Particularly in good company.

A splash of red wine on your cream-colored sofa is not the end of the world (we promise). Before doing anything on your own, make sure to contact a professional to talk you through what to do while the area is still fresh. We have had lots of success with wine spills; just check out our reviews!

Greasy Food

Ah, the guilty pleasure of greasy food and a movie night. Have you accidentally dripped or spilled grease onto your upholstery? You aren’t the first person, and you won’t be the last. As it is with all these kinds of stains, the best thing to do is not to treat it with your own methods out of panic. Speak with a local upholstery cleaner (like us) and we’ll make sure you get the help you need.

Pet Stains and Odors

Whether or not you keep your pets off your furniture, their dander and odor can travel into the upholstered fibers. If you do let your pets onto your upholstery, you know how quickly and easily pet fur can embed itself. Old or very young pets can even have accidents on upholstery, leaving behind a less-than-desired stain and smell. Handily enough, we at A+ Carpet Cleaning not only have the most effective method to help on the market, but we also have products that are specifically geared towards alleviating pet stains, dander, and odors.

Dirt and Mud

Over time, soiling happens. When we are going about in the outside world and then immediately sitting on our furniture at home, we are leaving behind different debris that we picked up, usually without even knowing it. This debris can wear down the upholstery fibers and give it a dirty appearance. Luckily, regular vacuuming can help reduce any dirt on your furniture, and a regular, professional cleaning will help maintain longevity.

The “How” of Upholstery Stain Removal

Our process of upholstery cleaning is similar to our process of carpet cleaning, but the equipment we use is different.

• Pre-spray: We will do our pre-spray to begin, allowing some dwell time for it to suspend the soil within the fabric fibers.
• Rinse: Using our upholstery tool, we then use hot water extraction to rinse the pre-spray out to the best of our ability.
  • If there are any specialty stains or spots that we see, we will utilize hand tools and spotter products after rinsing and then rinse again.
• Dry stroke: Once we have finished rinsing over the entire piece of upholstery, we go over the entire thing one more time. This helps the upholstery to dry faster.

Hiring a professional upholstery cleaner is as easy as giving us a call, sending a text, or even sending an email! We have had success with a variety of different sizes, fabrics, soiling, and stains. In order to provide you with an estimate, we will ask you to measure your upholstery in linear feet, provide us with the material information, and then request that you text a photo of the upholstery to our business phone. Once we’ve reviewed the photo with our technician, he will provide us with the estimate and we will pass that along to you.

If you aren’t sure you need air duct cleaning services, the NADCA recommends having your ducts cleaned every 3-5 years. If you are a new owner or just don’t remember how long its been, we’ve also included some other telltale signs that it might be time to call a Portland local air duct cleaning company (like A+ Carpet Cleaning)!

You may need air duct cleaning services if…

You see a puff of dust come from your vents every time you turn on your furnace

This one is somewhat of an obvious one. If you see dust coming out of your vents, that’s a very clear sign that they are in need of a professional clean. This indicates that there is loose debris that has been cycling through your home for so long that it’s begun to build up. Dirt, dander, and allergens are swept through your HVAC system daily, and without a regular clean, there is the potential for them to begin to collect.

You have to replace your filters more often than usual

Your furnace filter is your defense between the debris your system picks up and your indoor air quality. If you have to replace your filter multiple times a month (or a week), this is your HVAC system’s way of telling you it’s time for a professional air duct cleaning. A frequent filter replacement is indicative of a large amount of soil in the vents and without a cleaning, there is nowhere else for any of it to go other than to continue to dirty your furnace filter and the rest of your home.

You smell something weird

Sometimes our homes just have an odor, whether it’s something pungent we cooked or an accident a pet had. However, if you are smelling an odor consistently and you have scoured your home and still can’t find the source, that may be a sign that the ducts are in need of a clean. We recommend getting close to the registers while the air is running so you can properly determine if the ducts are the source of the smell. If they are, it’s time to call an air duct cleaner in Portland!

There isn’t a lot of air coming out of the vents

Is your furnace working hard and barely getting any air flow? That’s a classic sign of a lot of debris blocking the air’s path. Imagine trying to push air through an increasingly narrow vent… it’s a lot of work, and unfortunately, until the issue is dealt with, the debris build-up will continue to increase. Not only does this impact your utility bill at the end of the month, but you feel like you aren’t getting your money’s worth because there’s barely any air coming out of your vents!

You just did a renovation

Home renovations are wonderful (speaking only about when you get to the end). Looking around and seeing all the results of the hard work you’ve put in is a special feeling. However, the process of remodeling creates a lot of dust and air particles that you likely want to get out of the air circulation ASAP. We have many clients who call us as soon as their remodel is finished so that we can come in, reduce the HVAC debris, and give them a truly “new” feeling when they walk in that first time.

How to clean air ducts

When Mike (founder of A+ Carpet Cleaning) was researching the best method to clean air ducts, he had to sift through a large variety of methods that all utilize different equipment and in some cases, products. After considering the options, he chose the RAM Air system, believing it to be the best. Why? The RAM Air method utilizes high pressurized air to clean your ducts rather than rotating brushes or other more intrusive tools that could scratch or cause other damage within your HVAC system.

When we clean your air ducts, we use the following pieces of equipment:

• Air hose: This is a hose that is small in circumference and has a small ball at the end of it. The ball has many tiny, hard to see holes drilled in it where the air comes from.
• Vacuum hose: This is a more typical hose size, and will attach to the vent cover (coming up) so that the debris is pulled towards us and into the van once the air hose is turned on.
• Vent cover: This is a cover that we place over your duct when we take the usual vent cover off. Our vent cover is thick plastic and has two holes: one for our vacuum hose and one for our air hose.
• 5ft ladder: to reach any ducts that are on the ceiling or wall. If you have high ceilings/walls that would require a taller ladder, make sure to mention that to us when you call to schedule!

Who is cleaning your air ducts?

A+ Carpet Cleaning is a family-owned and locally-owned business that’s been around for over 15 years! Mike & Tiki Honkanen, co-owners, have raised their sons and grown their business over the course of the past two decades, and greatly enjoy getting to meet new people as well as continue to serve our loyal clients. Many clients have turned friends, and they feel a deep desire to continue to serve Portland and the nearby areas. Being a family-owned business is a delight, and A+ Carpet Cleaning is made up of a team of people that want to treat your home as their own.

Currently, we have over 2,000 positive reviews online, and we welcome you to check out our different pages! And if you ever need any air duct cleaning, carpet cleaning, area rug cleaning (the list goes on)…give us a call!

Unfortunately, there was one downside to the entire world suddenly being able to access this massive dimension of information. It is not only easy to get into, but it is also easy to add to, making some of the information found on the internet questionable at best. In the United States, we are a people of convenience, and are often tempted by phrases like life hack, DIY, 30-second recipe… on and on and on. While some these blogs, articles, and social media posts can be enlightening, they are not always coming from the perspective of a professional. We find that if it comes to a service, it’s best to have your questions answered by someone who has experience, education, and a genuine desire to help.

In the spirit of helpful insights, we thought through some of our most commonly asked questions that we receive as a family-owned carpet cleaning business in Portland. This article will hopefully answer a question that you have, or at least add to your knowledge of carpet & carpet cleaning.

Which carpet cleaning method is best?

“Best” is sometimes a subjective term, like in the case of ice cream and movies. When it comes to carpet cleaning, there is a proven best—hot water extraction with a truck mounted machine. Not only is hot water extraction the method that carpet manufacturers recommend for maintaining a warranty, but it’s also the most thorough way of eliminating dirt and debris without oversaturating your carpet. Instead of introducing water and product with the same stroke, hot water extraction involves doing an initial pre-spray of cleaning agent, then coming through with the wand and rinsing, and then doing a last dry stroke to help the carpets dry faster and prevent wicking.

You’ll see lots of different methods when you’re doing your first delve into the world of professional carpet cleaning. Some cleaners will shampoo carpets, which typically uses a rotary brush and scrubs water and product into your carpet so that there is a higher potential for leftover sticky residue. Some carpet cleaners will also perform what’s called dry carpet cleaning, which uses specifically engineered dry product that collects debris as it sits and is then vacuumed up. Dry carpet cleaning doesn’t get deep into the carpet fibers like hot water extraction, and it’s often considered a “surface level clean.”

Do I really need to hire a professional carpet cleaner?

Those portable carpet cleaners can certainly seem like a more ideal option for those of us that tend to have a “do it myself” personality. There are millions of blogs and videos online about how to get stains out and how to clean your carpet on your own, and many of them even say you don’t need to purchase anything at all—you can clean with ingredients that you probably have in your home anyway, like baking soda and dish soap!

Some of those bloggers have really great ideas and ways to help you out, but they are posting to a broad audience and can’t cater their suggestions to your specific situation the way a professional carpet cleaner can and will. If you think of a carpet stain from a scientific standpoint, there are many variables that can impact how a stain will come out and what it needs. For example, when our technicians are on a job and are handling a coffee stain, they have to handle it differently if the stain had cream in it.

Take it from someone who tried to take apart her own laptop and put it back together, DIY is not always the answer. If there are multiple parts and variables involved, it truly is best to just give the professionals a call. We are happy to even give you advice over the phone—our priority is that you are proud of your home and its carpet, and we know that life happens. Coming up on twenty years in the carpet cleaning business, we’ve certainly handled our fair share of specialty stains, and we are happy to share our knowledge and expertise with you.

One more thing. That carpet cleaning machine you rent might not be worth the money you’re saving. Sure, some of them can be $50 to rent for the day, but then you are the one that has to clean the carpets, and you’re using subpar equipment and product. Our minimum at A+ Carpet Cleaning is $175, but we are using professional grade methods, tools, and cleaning agents in order to give your carpets the best chance at a full recovery.

Is carpet cleaning okay for kids? Is carpet cleaning safe for pets?

Good news! A+ Carpet Cleaning uses non-toxic and pet/kid-safe products so you don’t have to worry. If you have higher than normal allergies or sensitivities, we are even happy to use seventh generation or your own laundry detergent as pre-spray so there isn’t anything being introduced to your carpets that you haven’t interacted with before. If you just want to make sure that everything is non-toxic, there’s no need to mention it as a special request—we already default to using products that we feel safe using around our own kids and pup. As a family-owned business, your comfort level is just as important to us as your satisfaction with a job well done.

Am I going to have to move all my furniture to have the carpets cleaned?

Absolutely not. There are rare cases where a job has no furniture involved, and those are usually move out/move in situations. We don’t expect clients to remove anything—what you move is up to you! Anything left down on the carpet, we are more than happy to go around. If there is something you’d like us to clean underneath, like a bed or a low coffee table, notify the office when you call to schedule and we’ll ask you a couple of follow up questions. For the most part, we just ask that you vacuum prior to the technician’s arrival and clear the carpet of any small items (like toys/boxes/etc.)

Can professional carpet cleaning help with odor?

A+ Carpet Cleaning not only specializes in odor removal, but we have a couple different products that we can use separately or in combination in order to get the best result possible. Whether there’s the faintest smell of dog in the living room or an unfortunately sharp odor of cat urine in a closet, we have methods and cleaning agents that we have had great success with in the past. One product is an enzyme oxidizer that helps with moderate odor. The other product, xcide, changes odor on contact and can help for cases where you can smell a strong odor as soon as you enter a room. So before ripping all your carpets out, give professional carpet cleaning a try.

Why don’t I just replace the carpets instead?

Simple. It’s more expensive, and you might not need to! If you’re dealing with soiling and smells, your first temptation might be to rip it all out and start over. However, we have restored many a home’s carpet simply by using hot water extraction and our expertise with stains. Even though replacing your carpet may appear to be the only solution, it can be a complex and expensive process that requires a significant investment of time and money. However, most carpet manufacturers advise that carpets should last between 5-15 years, and some even offer warranties of up to 20 years. If you get some estimates for replacing your carpet, and then compare them to a professional carpet cleaning, you will realize that there is a decent sized gap between the cost for a cleaning and a room replacement. Having your room’s carpet replaced is also a lot more of a hassle–removing every item of furniture, dealing with the mess…it’s a lot. A professional carpet cleaner doesn’t even require you to move all your furniture out of the room. We simply ask that you  move anything you’d like us to clean underneath. Everything else, we are more than happy to go around.

It’s common to believe that certain stains are impossible to remove, but that’s not always the case. Even if you’ve previously tried to eliminate a stain on your own, that doesn’t mean it’s beyond the capabilities of a professional cleaner. A+ Carpet Cleaning advises homeowners against handling spills and spots on their own, as this can result in incorrect or excessive product usage, causing further damage. In any circumstance involving stain removal, it’s always best to contact a professional immediately. A+ Carpet Cleaning’s expert technicians possess extensive knowledge and more than 15 years of experience in treating various stains using different techniques and products.

We get it–you’re tired of looking a the same water spot that’s been there for years and years. It may not seem like removing it with a cleaning is even possible. However, if you read our reviews, you will see that we have had great results will all kinds of stains, new and old. If the stain does turn out to be permanent, that is still not reason to replace the whole room’s worth of carpet! We also offer carpet repairs, and are happy to discuss with you carpet patching, where we use extra carpet you have or take it from an inconspicuous location, and repair the spot so that you can’t tell there was ever a spot there in the first place!

Homeowners frequently encounter unpleasant smells, particularly those who own pets or have dealt with spills, nicotine, or digestive problems. But a carpet that emits an odor isn’t automatically destined for the dump. Here at A+ Carpet Cleaning, we have made odor elimination our area of expertise. We use a range of products that vary depending on the origin of the smell. These products are formulated to extract the odor without leaving any overpowering fragrance behind.

As a family-owned business, we truly have our client’s needs at heart. There are certain circumstances with odor where we have recommended replacing a carpet. Our goal is for you to get the best result you can. Most of the time, professional carpet cleaning with hot water extraction is just what your carpet needs! The difference between a portable, rented carpet cleaning machine and a truck mounted wand is night and day, and we’d love to show you!

Don’t be too quick to toss out your carpets! Give A+ Carpet Cleaning a chance before making any hasty decisions. As a locally owned and operated small business, we are dedicated to treating your home with the utmost care and respect. Our team values transparency and honesty, and we’re happy to offer our expert opinion on whether your carpets are salvageable or not. And if you’re concerned about the price tag, keep in mind that professional carpet cleaning is often a more budget-friendly alternative to completely replacing your carpets. So if you’re feeling frustrated by stains or odors, don’t lose hope! Simply reach out to A+ Carpet Cleaning at 503-314-7453 to schedule your appointment today.

More questions?

Great! A+ Carpet Cleaning is a small, family-owned business, and we’d love to hear from you and answer any additional questions you might have! Give us a call at 503-314-7453. We’re in the office Monday through Friday, 8am – 5pm.