FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions?
- Why is Ultra Clean Carpet Systems different from other hot water extraction or steam cleaning companies?
- Concerned about cost ?
- Why does low priced carpet cleaning often leave you shortchanged?
- How much will it cost?
- Why should I have my carpet and upholstery professionally cleaned?
- How often should my carpet and upholstery be cleaned?
- Will cleaning my carpets with your ‘Hot Water Extraction System’ make them re-soil quicker, shrink or mildew?
- Should I have carpet protector applied to my carpet?
- Do you guarantee to remove all the spots and stains?
- Can I walk on my carpet right after it has been cleaned?
- How long will it take to dry?
- Will your equipment scratch my floors, walls or baseboards?
- Do you move furniture?
- What do I need to do before Ultra Clean Carpet Systems arrives?
- Do I have to be present the entire time that the cleaning takes place?
- How is carpet made?
- How can I improve my indoor environment?
- What is the history of carpet?
1. Why is Ultra Clean Carpet Systems different from other hot water extraction or steam cleaning companies?
Ultra Clean is Not Any Ordinary Cleaner. Many cleaning companies tout they are “professional cleaners”. Many use words or phrases to convince you they are reputable. We will give you information you need to know to better understand the differences in cleaning
companies. We believe that there are 5 areas that must be met for a successful professional cleaning outcome. Remove any one of the five and quality suffers. Ultra Clean provides to their clients all five of the ingredients for high quality.
1.) The Right Equipment. We’ve invested in the very best state of the art gas powered truck mounts. This machine is
the Mercedes-Benz of machines. There are different grades of machinery with different results. Our high temperature cleaning solutions
clean better and rinse better. We carry our own tanks of softened water. Soft water cleans better with an added benefit of less
cleaning agent needed. Different size vacuum pumps are capable of faster drying. We ordered the oversized vacuum pump for our machine
since we also service water damaged carpets which require higher air flow capacity. Even the right equipment that is not regularly or
properly maintained will cause problems. Poor maintenance or poor cleaning of the vacuums in-line filter system will leave carpets too
wet. We have two in-line filter systems for our vacuum pump. Dust, carpet fibers, pet hair will fill these in-line vacuum filters,
sometimes quickly. We can easily replace our filter quickly to provide maximum air flow for every job. We have high standards of maintenance for our equipment to give you the best results.
2.) Cleaning Agents. There is a wide variety of inferior cleaning agents available. We can outperform many cleaning companies because our cleaning product excels compared to what they are using. Our cleaning solutions are safe for children, pets, and even for allergy sensitive clients.
3.) Technique. Improper cleaning techniques and poor training make the difference in the final outcome of the cleaning job. New clients state that over wetting was a common problem with previous cleaners. This is a result of bad cleaning technique and also the cleaning pressure being set too high. Many companies clean with the trigger spraying the carpet in both directions which causes over wetting. We have the advantage in that we don’t use a regular wand to clean the carpet. We use a rotary jet extractor, which allows us to use less water
while getting deeper into the carpet. This way we can give you a more thorough cleaning and not leave your carpets soaking wet. We follow our high standards of cleaning technique for optimum results. Improper cleaning technique will absolutely result in poor results. Even if someone has good equipment, good cleaning agents and a good attitude about their work, does not necessarily mean the technician knows how to clean right.
4.) The Technician. Even a technician with good equipment, good cleaning agents and good training techniques will do a poor job if he has a bad attitude about his work. If the technician is not exceptional, it will show. We take pride in our reputation of consistent high quality workmanship year after year. Also, what about the technician? Canyou trust this person in the privacy of your home? Ultra Clean has a reputation of being trustworthy.
5.) Company Philosophy. Many cleaning companies are profit driven only. Many companies have a lot of employee turnover. Many technicians are not experienced or qualified and are put in charge of their own truck prematurely. They pay their techs commissions to up sell deodorizers, carpet protectors, spotters and other items. There is nothing wrong withthese items if the items are really needed or even necessary. Unfortunately, if the customer declines, the tech does not make any money and is prone to give a quick cleaning job. Many lower priced oriented companies overload their technicians with too many jobs to be done in one day, leaving the technicians with no other choice but to go quickly. Ultra Clean’s philosophy is “one quality job at a time“. Ultra Clean recognizes that there is a need for our
quality service by particular homeowners. We have offered our personalized and family owned cleaning services since 2007. Some
people have never heard of “Ultra Clean”. We do minimal advertising since we stay busy with our repeat clients and their referrals. We are not interested in becoming a large cleaning company with a large staff to “baby sit.” Quite honestly we aren’t rookies anymore, we
know what we’re doing and we do it very well. This is very important to our type of clientele. We are particular and spend more time to
truly thoroughly clean better. Many cleaners go for speed and only give you one or two cleaning passes, which just isn’t enough. Main traffic areas need several slower cleaning passes. We give extra attention to edge work. We use our smaller hand
tool to be more detailed in small tight areas. We are careful along the baseboards and furniture that is being cleaned around such as a
china cabinet or entertainment center. We provide fast drying times. By taking more effort with extra vacuum strokes and using fans, we
have dried areas before we leave. Our clients love us for providing a quickly dried carpet. Your carpet and upholstery is safe with us
from over wetting. Being owner/operators, we have a vested interest in providing excellent results. This is not a part time or job
between jobs for us. Being thorough, friendly and trustworthy are our primary reasons for being successful.
2.Concerned about cost?
Let me start right now by telling you we are NOT the cheapest cleaner in town. Quality minded clients seek out our services. Some
people are so caught up on price only that they are easy targets for low quality cleaning companies. We cater to clients whocare about their home and expect top-notch service. Our clients are aware there are cheaper advertised prices but they know from experience that “you really do get what you pay for.” They are willing to pay more for our service since their high expectations are met. Many new clients state how they felt they wasted their money on a cheaper service because the cleaning company went so quickly through the job. We do not rush our work! We will give you more cleaning passes and take more effort with extra vacuum passes to be sure your carpet dries fast. You will get your money’s worth from us. No other carpet cleaner in Gainesville FL offers this much personalized service and attention to quality for the price. “In this day and age, quality and low price are two entities that rarely come as a pair”. This statement is especially true when it comes to carpet cleaning services. All cleaning companies know what they’re worth and they price their services accordingly.
Would you buy the cheapest carpet available for your home? Of course not. You wouldn’t get a quality, long lasting carpet. So why settle for the cheapest priced cleaning of such a quality item. In the end, low priced, low quality cleaning, will actually damage a fine quality carpet. We’ve seen damage many times. So what have you really saved? We also notice that do it yourself machines and the cleaning agent used by the homeowner leaves a residue that actually attracts soil faster than if it were not cleaned at all. Remember, we offer “The
Most Thorough Cleaning Ever, or It’s FREE!“. When we’re referred by friends, neighbors and relatives, they tell each other that we
cost more but we’re definitely worth it.
3. Why does low priced carpet cleaning often leave you shortchanged?
- Volume: Low price cleaners survive on volume – which means get in and get out fast! If your carpet cleaner isn’t taking the time to pre-treat soiled areas, spot clean stains and thoroughly rinse cleaning solutions and soils from your carpet, then you’re being
shortchanged. - Employees: Low price cleaners cannot afford to pay wages that attract long term dependable employees. High employee turnover is common and leads to poor quality workmanship from under-trained cleaners. It takes time and experience to become a top notch cleaning technician. If you see a constant stream of new faces from your cleaning company, chances are you’re being shortchanged.
- Low Quality Equipment: Low price cleaners must survive on slim profit margins. This often leads to using low quality cleaning agents and equipment that’s in disrepair. Such agents and equipment cannot perform a quality job. If your cleaning company isn’t using the best available cleaning agents or equipment, you’re being
shortchanged. - Technology/Education: Low priced cleaners often do not have the time, money or man power to invest in technology. Carpet cleaning technology is constantly evolving with new equipment, safer more effectiveproducts and advanced cleaning techniques. Formal education of technicians is very costly, but necessary; to ensure you are getting your money’s worth. If your cleaning company does not belong to trade associations, subscribe to industry journals, and take part in seminars and formal training
courses…you’re being shortchanged. - Guarantees: We’re all familiar with the saying, “A guarantee is only as good as the company that stands behind it”. If your cleaning company doesn’t have a track record that says they’ll be available today, tomorrow and more importantly next year to stand behind their work…you’re being shortchanged.
- Premature Replacement: The number one reason carpets are replaced prematurely is due to wear caused by inefficient cleaning. Poor cleaning leaves dirt and grit behind that act as an abrasive to carpet fibers. This leads to wear patterns and ugly traffic lanes. Most quality carpeting is designed to last at least 15 years, however if you’re considering replacement after 3 or 5 years, then poor cleaning is costing you many times more than you could ever hope to save by using a low priced cleaning company.
We price by the square foot. Carpet cleaning prices are based on the size of area cleaned and how much furniture you would like us to
move. We do offer a lower rate if rooms are empty or almost empty. We will measure the day of the job. From then on, we will have those
room sizes on file for future reference. Upholstery cleaning is based on size, number of loose cushions, arm covers and type of material. Before we start any job, we perform a carpet audit. A carpet audit allows us to examine the carpet, cover any concerns you may have about certain spots, and get an accurate measurement of each room. After the audit we will give you the price for the three packages that we offer and you can choose the package that best fits your needs. You will always know the exact price of all the services we offer before we even get started. That way there will be no surprises at the end.
5. Why should I have my carpet and upholstery professionally cleaned?
Maintenance: A clean carpet will last longer than a soiled carpet. If you follow manufacturers recommendations of cleaning your carpet at least once every 12months, your carpet can last up to twice as long or longer as if you would have not cleaned it. Abrasive dry soil that your vacuum cleaner cannot remove will scratch and damage the yarns. Many new carpet warranties require professional cleaning every 12 months and even specify the ‘hot water extraction system’ Ultra Clean uses for the greatest soil removal.
Beautiful Appearance: Spots and soil buildup is unsightly and embarrassing. You can make your carpet look good longer with frequent cleaning and vacuuming. Your trained, experienced, professional from Ultra Clean Carpet Systems uses the finest products and equipment available for the best spot and soil removal possible. We’re the experts!
Healthier Home. You home will be kept clean and healthy. Many contaminants fall into your carpet that acts as a
large filter. Our method of cleaning extracts these unwanted guests. Indoor air quality is becoming a major concern to your health. Let us explain how carpet can help keep the air you breathe, cleaner. Carpet acts as a large filter, trapping bio-pollutants and contaminants removing them from the breathable air. . However, when these filters (carpet) become full of contaminants, the filters must be cleaned or replaced. Since carpet is the most expensive furnishing in your home or business, cleaning is the recommended first step. Professional cleaning of carpet and rugs not only extends the life of the carpet, but can also help extend the lives of you and your families as well. These contaminants, not thoroughly removed, have the potential to cause a variety of health problems.
The E.P.A. Says.. “Until such time as the carpet fibers are cleaned, the potential for human exposure and health risk remains high.” “Every time carpets and fabrics are emptied of their pollution build-up through professional cleaning methods, there is a health benefit.” Regular maintenance programs are your best protection against the buildup of soils, mold spores, dust mites, carpet beetles and all types of pollutants that accumulate in your carpets, upholstery, air ducts and draperies over time.
As a professional carpet & upholstery care company we have invested extensive hours in continuing education, and thousands of dollars in cleaning equipment. Learning about the proper methods, equipment, and materials necessary to provide a service to our customers that produces benefits well beyond nicer looking carpets and furniture. Cleaning provides health benefits that aid in the overall well being
of your family.
As modern cleaning professionals we recognize the health concerns of our population and are addressing those concerns through the use of people and pet friendly as well as Earth-friendly cleaning agents. These agents are specifically designed to leave little or no residue in your furnishings.
Protect your family’s health by creating a regular maintenance program that fits easily into your household needs, and budget. And remember that routine professional cleaning is essential to maintaining a healthy home and work environment.
6. How often should my carpet and upholstery be cleaned?
StainMaster recommends professional cleaning at least every 12 months. Hot water extraction to refresh carpet texture, performed by a trained, qualified carpet professional, is required at least every 18-24 months for coverage under their warranty.
Click Here to go to Stainmaster’s web site and view the carpet maintenance section.
If carpet and upholstery is cleaned before it becomes too unsightly, the cleaning chore will be more effective and more successful. Allowing them to become overly soiled can result in irreversible damage.
Your cleaning frequency is dependent on a number of factors including your lifestyle, kids, pets, color choices, housekeeping,
and your level of spot cleaning success, to name a few. A good rule of thumb is to clean all carpet traffic lanes and frequently used
upholstery at least once per year. Some high use areas such as family rooms, dining rooms, halls, steps and baths may require
cleaning more often, perhaps every 4-6 months. Don’t hesitate to ask for our cleaning tech’s advice while he’s there.
7. Will cleaning my carpets with your ‘Hot Water Extraction System’ make them re-soil quicker, shrink or mildew?
It is a common myth that cleaning them before it is absolutely necessary will cause them to get dirty faster. This is an old wife’s
tale that was actually true several years ago when shampooing carpets was the common method of cleaning. When done correctly,
hot water extraction or “steam cleaning” does not cause the carpet to get dirty faster. We sincerely believe that ‘hot water
extraction or steam cleaning’ is the BEST way to clean your carpets. We also are sad to say that if done improperly it can be the worst
for your carpets. Why? Improper cleaning techniques can cause over wetting. Many companies clean with the trigger spraying the carpet
in both directions which causes over wetting. Most companies do not take the extra effort to take additional ‘dry vacuum strokes’ to
ensure no over wetting. We do not wet the padding or even the backing of the carpet. We do not shrink or mildew carpets. The
rinsing action of the hot water extraction system leaves no soapy residue to attract soil any faster than it did before cleaning.
Proper training, techniques, products and equipment are your assurance that maximum soil removal will be accomplished with no
such problems.
8. Should I have carpet protector applied to my carpet?
Unfortunately there is probably as much confusion in the carpet cleaning industry about carpet protectors as there is about
cleaning. Uneducated, uninformed, and sometimes downright unscrupulous carpet cleaners cause a great deal of confusion by
giving out false information or intentionally misrepresenting the product.
A nylon stain-resist carpet is made with two protective properties: The first is an acid dye blocker that is basically a clear dye that
fills the extra dye sites in a fiber. This helps to keep “foreign” dyes (such as red dye in a beverage) from penetrating the carpet
fiber. The second property is called a “fluorochemical”. It is commonly known as 3M Scotchgard® or DuPont Teflon®. This treatment
helps keep spillage from actually getting to the acid dye blocker, but its biggest job is to resist dry soil.
By resisting dry soil, less soil bonds to the carpet, therefore being picked up by your vacuum or cleaning. Making sure that you
have a sufficient amount of protector on your carpet will help keep the soil from bonding to the carpet. Once it bonds to the carpet, it
acts like sandpaper on your traffic area. Once the traffic area yarns are broken down, there is no way to bring them back to their
original state.
2 primary ways that factory protector is removed from a carpet…
1. Regular foot traffic. Over a period of 6 months to 2 years depending on traffic, abrasion, caused by regular foot traffic and vacuuming, will remove a significant amount of the protector and lower its effectiveness.
2. High alkaline cleaner. Uneducated, uninformed, and sometimes downright unscrupulous carpet cleaners use harsh
chemicals on the carpet that will strip its protection. If one of these rascals has been in your house, you may want to have the
carpet re-protected.
4 Mistakes Other Cleaners Make In Applying Protector
1. Not using high quality protector. Discount protectors are not as effective and sometimes void the
warranty of the carpet. Our company uses only the highest quality, recommended protectors. We apply 3M Scotchgard® Protector
2. Not using a dedicated container. Using the same container for carpet protector as other cleaners can contaminate the
carpet protector making it gummy and ineffective. Our truck has a dedicated container reserved ONLY for carpet protector.
3. Not applying the product properly. Some cleaners either under apply or over apply the protector. Under applying it doesn’t allow for complete penetration on the carpet yarns. Over applying it causes the carpet to become overly stiff and crusty. Our Company technicians are diligently trained for proper application.
4. Not grooming the carpet. For the best performance, the product should be groomed into the carpet for maximum penetration. This ensures contact with all surfaces of the carpet yarn and proper distribution and drying. Our Company thoroughly grooms the protector into the carpet pile.
6 Reasons You Should Always Get Carpet Protector
1. Reduces permanent stains. A great looking carpet can be ruined by an ugly spot. Unprotected carpet doesn’t repel spillage as well as protected carpet. Being able to remove spots and spills more effectively, you can avoid
permanent staining.
2. Helps save your traffic areas from becoming destroyed. Traffic area soil is very abrasive and cuts carpet yarns like a knife. This damaging soil can easily bond to an unprotected carpet. By applying protector, you will increase the life of your carpet dramatically. When you vacuum your protected carpet the soils will release from the carpet pile much more effectively.
3. Make spots easier to remove. The easier a spot is to remove, the less cleaner you will have to use. The less agitation you will have to use, and the less time it will take. Many spots can be removed easily with just water.
4. Makes your next professional cleaning more effective. Having protector applied to your carpet will enhance your next cleaning. More soil will be removed the next time your carpeting is professionally cleaned.
5. Helps avoid costly service calls. Although you want to call us out to handle any spot you cannot remove
immediately, carpet protector helps you remove more spots than you would without protector. You may be able to save a minimum charge by removing the spot yourself.
6. 3M recommends the application of Scotchgard after each cleaning on all carpet fiber types. With an application of
Scotchgard carpet protector, you have the assurance your carpet is protected with a premium quality product.
The result of having protector applied to your carpet is that your carpet will look better and last longer.
9. Do you guarantee to remove all the spots and stains?
We have great success with most spots. A spot is something foreign on the carpet or upholstery that can be removed. A stain is something remaining after we have exhausted all spot removal possibilities. It’s impossible to predict the outcome prior to cleaning, so we cannot guarantee total stain removal. However, we pride ourselves in the level of successful spot removal outcomes.
10. Can I walk on my carpet right after it has been cleaned?
Yes you can. We highly recommend you walk in socks or use the booties that we left for you until the carpet is
dry. Be careful not to slip as you walk from the damp carpet onto hard floors like vinyl, wood or tile.
11. How long will it take to dry?
It varies for total drying. We can dry carpet as quick as 30 minutes or less to an average of 4-6 hours with the most time being overnight drying. Temperature, humidity, air flow or stagnant air, carpet yarn, density and soiling are different at every job. To speed things up, we use special turbo dryer fans or high speed fans while at the job. In cold weather, turn your heat up, turn off any humidifiers and put your thermostat fan position to “on” instead of “auto”. You can open the whole house during warm dry weather. Air conditioning helps during humid days. Blow air across the carpet with fans and ceiling fans. The ideal inside temperature is 72-74 regardless of weather.
12. Will your equipment scratch my floors, walls or baseboards?
No. We take special care and precautions to make certain nothing is damaged while we’re in your home. Fine floors and white painted trim are no problem. We take great pride in our work.
13. Do you move furniture?
Yes, we can move and replace sofas, chairs, tables, and other
moveable items. Foam blocks are used to elevate certain furniture
for proper drying and special plastic tabs are used to keep the legs
from staining the carpet. We clean around kitchen appliances and
large heavy furniture like pianos, china cabinets, entertainment
centers, full bookcases, grandfather clocks and most desks. In
bedrooms, we generally clean around most beds and dressers because
space is limited.
14. What
do I need to do before Ultra Clean Carpet Systems arrives?
You’ll need to remove small items, small furniture such as end
tables, coffee tables, dining room chairs, plants, etc. out of the
rooms being cleaned. Nick-knacks and breakables need to be removed
from furniture that is to be moved. Or, you can move out what you
want and have us clean the open areas around what is left. For more
details please click here to view our preparation checklist. Thank
you
15. Do I have to be
present the entire time that the cleaning takes place?
No. An advantage to using Ultra Clean is our trustworthy and
honest reputation. Our clients feel at ease leaving us unattended
while at work or running errands. It’s common that a signed blank
check is left for us to fill out or credit card information for
payment. Many clients will meet with us and then leave when we’re
ready to begin cleaning. Previous clients often hide a key or leave
a side garage door unlocked for entry while they’re at work or
running errands. Some choose to have a friend, neighbor or relative
come to meet us. If we have any questions, we get your work or cell
phone number. When we’re finished, we’ll adjust the thermostat,
windows and your fans for the quickest drying time, and lock
ourselves out. It’s refreshing to find a cleaner whom you can trust
to be in the privacy of your home.
Carpet manufacturing today is a mix of
old-world craftsmanship and 21st century innovation. Carpet is
manufactured in one of two ways – weaving
or tufting.
Woven carpets are made primarily with wool and
are exceptionally durable (and frequently expensive). Woven carpets
can be produced by hand – much in the same way that has been used
for centuries – or by machine. Both methods follow the same
procedures. Yarn is woven though or around vertical fibers called
warps, then locked into place with horizontal strands called wefts.
Woven carpets can utilize a wide variety of colors to create
intricate patterns in the highest quality carpets.
More than 90 % of carpets sold today are
created using the tufting method. Tufting machines use computers to
determine patterns, styles, construction and density. Once the
fibers are in place, the carpet is dyed using a variety of methods
to create patterns or effects. For cut-pile carpeting, the final
stage is stretched, or cutting the pile loops. This stage will help
determine the carpet’s feel and softness. The carpet also receives a
secondary stretched backing to give it stability and allow it to be
stretched during installation.
Most carpets today also receive stain
protection during the manufacturing phase. The quality of a carpet
will also depend on the type of yarn used, and how that yarn is
treated during manufacturing.
Continuous fibers are
heat-set and twisted at the mill to produce a tightly twisted
product most commonly found in frieze
carpets. This kind of yarn is less bulky but
holds its shape for a long time.
The other common type of yarn is
spun or staple
yarn , which is made from short
lengths of fiber that are spun together, creating a yarn that is
much less likely to unravel. Staple yarns will go through a complex
series of treatments, including blending, spinning, twisting and
heat setting.
17-
How can I improve my indoor environment?
During the 1960’s and 1970’s much of our nation’s focus was on the
pollution of our outdoor environment, but recently our focus has
shifted to pollution of our indoor environment.
Concern for fuel economy in the early 1970’s led to changes in
construction techniques and building design to prevent the loss of
temperature-controlled air from buildings. Airtight structures keep
air inside, but they also prevent the flow of fresh air from
outside. Research by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
determined that our indoor environment has two to five times more
pollutants than outside air. The quality of our indoor air has
become more important to us in recent years in that the average
American spends over 20 hours a day inside a closed structure. We
spend 90 percent of our lives indoors.
Heightened consumer health awareness has placed an emphasis on
improving the quality of our indoor environment. Carpet plays a
vital, positive role in indoor air quality. It acts as an
environmental filter, trapping and holding impurities from the air
we breathe. The EPA and carpet industry findings indicate that with
proper ventilation of new carpet, carpet itself does not contribute
negatively to indoor air quality, but the buildup of soil in carpet
does. Upholstery fabric also harbors soil and contaminants.
According to Michael A. Berry, Ph.d., former Deputy Director for the
EPA Environmental Criteria and Assessment Office, the single leading
cause of poor indoor air quality in built environments today is poor
maintenance. Carpet and upholstery must be cleaned to remove trapped
contaminants before they overflow and are released back into the
indoor air.
For a healthier indoor environment, the Institute of Inspection,
Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) recommends:
* Vacuum frequently. A vacuum cleaner with a high efficiency
filtration bag removes soils and bio-contaminants from carpet and
upholstery and reduces the release of breathable particles into the
air. These bags are now available for most models of vacuum cleaners
at retail stores that carry vacuum cleaners and accessories.
* Periodically have carpet and upholstery professionally cleaned.
Thorough cleaning
removes soil and pollutants to improve indoor air quality. Contact
your local IICRC Certified cleaner, Ultra Clean Carpet Systems at
(352)316-0741 who is a certified professional trained in the proper
use of cleaning agents and equipment.
* Control the sources. Entrance mats halt tracked-in soil and
contaminants. Tobacco smoke, which is trapped in carpet and
upholstery fabric, is a major source of indoor pollution.
* Increase fresh air flow. Our ancestors knew what they were doing
when they opened
windows to air out buildings.
* Clean for health. Carpet and upholstery fabric hide soil. Don’t
just clean for appearance when the accumulation of soil becomes visible.
18- What is the history of carpet?
History of the Carpet
Industry in the United States
In the Beginning — Woven Carpet
The carpet industry in the United
States
began in 1791 when William Sprague started the first woven carpet
mill in Philadelphia. Others
opened during the early 1800s in New England.
Included in that area was Beattie Manufacturing Company in Little
Falls, New Jersey, a company
that operated until 1979.
In 1839, Erastus Bigelow permanently reshaped the industry with
the invention of the power loom for weaving carpets. Bigelow’s loom,
which doubled carpet production the first year after its creation
and tripled it by 1850, is now part of the Smithsonian Institution’s
collections. He continued to devote his life to innovation — 35
separate patents were issued to him between 1839 and 1876. Bigelow
introduced the first broadloom carpet in 1877.
The power loom with Jacquard mechanism was developed in 1849, and
Brussels carpet was first manufactured by the Clinton Company of Massachusetts. The
Brussels
loom was slightly modified, making possible the manufacture of Wilton carpet. Later, the Hartford Carpet
Company joined with Clinton Company to become Bigelow Carpet
Company.
In 1878, four Shuttleworth brothers brought 14 looms from England and established their manufacturing plant
in Amsterdam, New York. In 1905, the company introduced a
new carpet, Karnak Wilton. Its instant success was phenomenal.
Flooded with orders, a new building had to be constructed to
exclusively handle Karnak production. Weavers worked four and five years
without changing either the color or pattern on their looms.
Alexander Smith started his carpet manufacturing plant in 1845 in
West Farms, New York.
An American, Halcyon Skinner, had perfected the power loom for
making Royal Axminster in 1876. He and Alexander Smith combined,
forming a very successful carpet company. Alexander Smith was
elected to Congress in 1878, but died on the evening of Election
Day. Sixteen hundred people were employed at his factory at the time
of his death. Alexander Smith & Sons continued. During World War I,
the carpet looms were converted to make tent duck and navy blankets.
In 1929 Alexander Smith & Sons was the largest manufacturer of
carpets and rugs in the world.
Simulating the “Oriental” Rug
Industrialist/retailer Marshall Field had a traditional Axminster
weaving loom modified to create what no one else had ever created –
a machine-made rug woven through the back, just like a handmade
Oriental, featuring intricate designs and virtually unlimited color
variety. Karastan’s rug mill was established in 1926, and introduced
the first Karastan rugs to the public in 1928.
Alexander Smith, Bigelow, and Karastan are companies continuing
today as divisions of Mohawk Industries, headquartered in Georgia.
There are many manufacturers today producing both simulations of
antique designs and updated “oriental” type rugs by both weaving and
tufting processes.
The Tufted Carpet Industry
Born in the U. S. A.
– the Pride of Georgia
Through the late 1800s, Dalton, Georgia, struggled with cotton mills and steel
manufacturing works to forge a small town in the north Georgia hills.
Northwest Georgia, with its hard-packed clay, poor farmland, and
rolling hills was among the last areas of
Georgia
settled. Rich in a heritage of Cherokee Indians and Civil War
battles, that northern corner of the state was rugged and spawned
people who were independent and self-sufficient. Those were the
people who brought forth and nurtured the tufted textile industry.
The industry’s infancy was in Dalton;
it has gone through intense growth in Dalton;
and it has now matured in and around
Dalton. The carpet industry’s impact is great
on this region, this state, and the nation; and the story of its
growth is unique.
The Beginnings
The industry began in a simple way, around the turn of the century.
A young, Dalton woman, Catherine
Evans Whitener, recreated a bedspread in a hand-crafted pattern she
had seen, for a wedding gift. Copying a quilt pattern, she sewed
thick cotton yarns with a running stitch into unbleached muslin,
clipped the ends of the yarn so they would fluff out, and finally,
washed the spread in hot water to hold the yarns in by shrinking the
fabric. Interest grew in young Catherine’s bedspreads, and in 1900,
she made the first sale of a spread for $2.50. Demand became so
great for the spreads that by the 1930s, local women, who were real
entrepreneurs, had “haulers,” who would take the stamped sheeting
and yarns to front porch workers. Often, entire families worked to
hand tuft the spreads for 10 to 25 cents per spread. The local term
for the sewing process was “turfin” for the nearly 10,000 area
cottage tufters — men, women, and children. Bedspread income was
instrumental in helping many area families survive the depression.
As an example of the spirit of these early entrepreneurial women,
Mrs. J. T. Bates stated that she simply “shipped 15 spreads to John
Wannamaker’s department store in
New York. On a piece of plain tablet paper I
made out a bill for $98.15 and put it in with the spreads. Although
there had been no previous contact whatsoever with the store,
Wannamakers sent us a check for $98.15.” Chenille bedspreads became
amazingly popular all over the country and provided a new name for Dalton: The Bedspread
Capital of the World.
Mechanization — the 1930s
Buyer competition, which tended to lower the prices, the change in
the minimum wage laws, and development of machine-produced spreads
soon made the hand-crafted spreads too expensive. Gradually the
industry began to pull the workers from surrounding hillsides and
small towns into mills in Dalton, beginning the
rapid growth of the mechanized tufting industry.
In the 1930s, as a result of the demand for more bedspreads, the
first mechanized tufting machine, attributed to Glen Looper Foundry
of Dalton, was developed. Looper modified the single needle
commercial Singer so that it would tuft the thick yarn into
unbleached muslin without tearing the fabric and an attached knife
would cut the loop. Machines quickly developed into four, then
eight, twenty-four, and more needles to make the parallel rows of
tufting known as “chenille.” By 1941, all but about one percent of
tufted bedspreads were machine made. Mats and rugs were created with
the same process, using cotton yarns and fabric. Volume increased
rapidly after World War II, because people were hungry for color and
beauty. To show the extent of growth, 30,000 bales of cotton were
consumed in 1946 by the industry. By 1950, approximately 500,000
bales were used, and the industry was the third largest consumer of
cotton grown in
Georgia
in 1952.
Sales were created by correspondence or by taking spreads to
department stores, but by far the most famous and enjoyable way to
buy a spread was on “Bedspread Alley,” U. S. Highway 41 between Dalton and Cartersville. This stretch of the
major north-south highway got its nickname because of the bedspreads
the tufters hung on clotheslines to dry in the breeze and sun.
The salesmen and tourists enjoyed seeing the colorful, gaudy
spreads and enjoyed the novelty of buying them “off the line.” The
most popular pattern to the travelers, outselling all others 12 to 1
was the Peacock — feathered birds facing each other and spreading
tails over the breadth of the spread. This “Bedspread Alley”
phenomenon lasted into the ‘70s, and even now a few spreads can be
seen on lines just south of Dalton.
As the number of tufted products produced annually went into the
millions, the job of supplying the industry became equally
important. Yarn, sheeting, duck mills, and agents were established
in the area, with their entire output going to the industry; and
larger mills elsewhere vied for the growing business. Machine shops
were established to manufacture the thousands of single and
multi-needle machines needed, as well as to design improvements
aimed at making even more beautiful and better spreads, bathroom
sets, robes, beach wear, and rugs. Dye plants for yarn were built.
Laundries were erected for finishing the spreads. Printing shops
were established to supply the millions of tags and labels needed.
Box factories turned out cartons for shipping. Moving these spreads
to market was big volume for rail and motor freight lines.
Machinery was developed for making chenille rugs and was widened,
creating larger rugs and broadloom carpet. At the same time,
machinery was changing, developments of new fibers accelerated the
growth of broadloom carpet.
Synthetic Fibers are Introduced
Until about 1954, cotton was virtually the only fiber used in tufted
products. Wool and manmade fibers — polyester, nylon, rayon, and
acrylics — were gradually introduced by textile men in
Dalton. Nylon was first introduced in 1947
and grew steadily to dominate the market. Polyester was first used
in 1965 and was followed soon by polypropylene (olefin). Most
manufacturers will agree that the single most important development
in the industry was the introduction of bulk continuous filament
nylon yarns. These yarns provided a luxurious quality, durable
carpet, similar to wool, that was more economical to produce.
Therefore, a durable, luxury product was offered to the consumer for
less money.
In 1950, only ten percent of all carpet and rug products were
tufted, and ninety percent were woven. However, about 1950, it was
as if someone had opened a magic trunk. Out of that trunk came
man-made fibers, new spinning techniques, new dye equipment,
printing processes, tufting equipment, and backing for different end
uses. Today, tufted products are more than 90 percent of the total,
followed by less than 2 percent that are woven, and 6.7 percent for
all other methods, such as knitted, braided, hooked, or
needlepunched. By 1951, the tufting industry was a $133 million per
year business made up primarily of bedspreads, carpet, and rugs,
with carpet accounting for $19 million. The industry broke the
billion dollar mark in 1963. Through the years, the Dalton area has continued
to be the center of the tufted carpet industry, and today, the area
produces more than 70 percent of the total output of the world-wide
industry of over $9 billion.
Dalton
is now known as the “Carpet Capital of the World.”
