2024 Third Quarter Newsletter
Nylon - 'Wannabe' Wool
Pat Slaven
OK, if you are a wool purist you can stop reading now. Still, most folk in this audience at least occasionally clean Nylon and even the Olefin rugs (heaven forfend). These too do need some love and attention and usually clean up fairly easily. But who wants to admit that….
What is this Nylon stuff….?
Nylon has a largely delightful history*(1). Dupont developed Nylon in the late 30’s and it quickly became used to replace silk. Dupont realized there were many possible uses for this new product beyond a ‘silk substitute’ and actively promoted it as a ‘new fiber’ rather than a new form of artificial silk, much less wool. Rayon had been around for almost 50 years and already had a bit of a reputation. Parachutes were made from silk(2). During WWII both sides quickly consumed the entirety of world silk production for parachutes. Silk disappeared from all non-military uses. Japan sealed the deal and cut off silk supplies to the US when they entered the war. The US started using nylon parachutes in 1942.(3)
Women were not particularly happy about replacing silk hosiery with cotton socks even for the war effort. My mom would tell me about the precious seamed silk stockings that were rationed during the war. If you got a run, you would use a special kit to literally reknit the ladder and stitch up the broken thread. Cotton socks were just that and did not exactly make your legs look good. Nylon was new, wonderful and a game changer on many levels. In fact, to promote the new fiber as the stuff of modern hosiery, Dupont sold early samples of Nylon stockings to female staff creating a ’buzz’. Dupont's first commercial production of Nylon stockings sold out in 3 hours! (4) With time these stockings became considerably less expensive. And less prone to runs too! And the name is still with us - “nylons”…..
Early Nylon needed some work. Still women loved the stockings and it also made a great replacement for bristles on various brushes. The parachutes came along a bit later with many other consumer and industrial products.
There are a couple common types of Nylon: Nylon 6,6 and Nylon 6 that are used for textiles. They are similar but slightly different. Note there are other types of Nylon used for extrusion, industrial components and solid formed plastic that are beyond the scope of this conversation.
The Nylon fibers are extruded and can be round and shiny (not a particularly good quality) or shaped for different cross sections such as triblobal (think of a slightly squashed triangle) which handles light a bit more like silk, and has a more appealing hand, or a hollow rectangle all improving properties and appearance.
So how did Nylon become a sub for wool? Well it has amide linkages like duh - wool. Ok wool is a bunch of different amino acids and textile Nylon is one molecule repeated many times - Nylon 6,6 (C12H22N2O2)n or Nylon 6 - (C6H11NO)n (5)
Still that amide bond helps out especially with dyeing and moisture absorption. Nylon’s other wool ‘mimics’ are a supple fiber that doesn’t easily break, has good tensile strength and can be easily dyed with acid dyes thanks to the amide linkages (remember many natural dyes often act like acid dyes). Plus there is that ability to modify the cross section formation minimizing the ‘shininess’ that gives synthetic fibers a nasty name.
Most synthetic fibers Polyester and Olefin in particular, are hydrophobic or hate water. Water runs off and literally does not absorb. Again these fibers cannot be dyed in a water bath. They can be pigment dyed in polymer dope or solutions dyed in non-aqueous baths or printed. Nylon will absorb some water 4-8% by weight (depending on the type and conditions). This aids in dyeing. Wool on the other hand can absorb close to 30% its weight in water and not feel damp BTW -thats why it's a great fiber for socks. (5)
So Nylon takes acid dyes well. And the liquid polymer can also be solution dyed or pigment dyed before entering the spinnerette to be extruded into fiber. (no dye bleed here…..) and we are starting to see a combo that may work well for floor coverings.
Nylon first appeared in carpeting & rugs in 1947 “These yarns provided a luxurious, quality, durable carpet, similar to wool, and more economical than wool to produce. Consumers now had access to a durable, luxury product for less money” according to CRI (6) about 75% of carpet is made from nylon. This includes both area rug and wall to wall. But why? - Nylon became available as bulk continuous filament (BCF) which was easy to tuff into carpet ( another possible column idea….)
And that rounds out why nylon, which was originally considered a substitute for silk by all but Dupont, became the predominant fiber used for carpet.
Reminder - I look for themes, trends and member concerns that likely affect many, and pick one or two for the column. If you have an idea, my email is listed below.
References:
- Nylon - American Chemical Society
- Irving Silk parachutes
- Smitsonian magazine 6/6/2017 Meet the daredevil Parachutist
- American Chemical Society - Wallace Carothers and the Development of Nylon ACS.org - carotherspolymers.com
- Physical properties of Textile Fibers, W.E. Morton & J.W.S. Hearle 1975
- CRI History of Carpet
A Consumer's Guide to Purchasing Area Rugs
Connie Klopfenstein
The Rug Salon
75121 Mediterranean Ave, Suite 1
Palm Desert, California 92211
I chose this topic to help consumers understand how to select the right area rug for their home environment. We receive many phone calls in our rug plant from frustrated consumers when it is time to clean their area rugs. Many times, these consumers were told they have a real silk rug, when it is in fact a viscose rug. Some consumers feel frustrated that no one shared with them the damage that pet urine does to wool and natural fibers when their pet is considered a family member and is an important part of their household. I want to guide consumers through the process of choosing the right fiber and construction to help them make the best investment for their rug.
Reasons to Buy an Area Rug for Your Space
One of the many design challenges facing homeowners today is achieving a level of cohesion in their open concept homes. Area rugs help define the dining room from the kitchen or living room from the family room. Rugs also add color, texture and/or warmth to a space that would otherwise feel hollow. Choosing the correct rug for your space and lifestyle can be the difference between having the rug for a season or a lifetime.
Consumers often choose rugs based on how they look, but much more should be taken into consideration when making such a large purchase. There are many types of fibers used in weaving and construction of area rugs. Not all fibers wear the same and it is important to understand the difference between each one. In the rug industry today, there are fibers that have been created to help keep the price point of the sale of a rug lower, but these fibers do not wear well or last as long. They can also have many cleaning related issues. Many times, they are marketed to consumers as an environmentally friendly or new alternative to silk or wool that have been used for centuries.
Educating consumers on the correct rug for their home has always been challenging. One reason is that most rug retailers, in store and online, are looking to make a sale. Retailers are not concerned with the long-term durability or cleanability of the area rug. However, educating consumers in the world of social media has added to this challenge. Much of the information on the internet is not accurate when it concerns spotting and or cleaning different types of rugs. You can Google how to remove a pet spot from my rug and get several different spotting techniques posted by so called You Tube “experts” that have no idea about chemistry or cleanability of rugs. In fact, there is an Instagram influencer that retails antique rugs and encourages her followers to wash their own rugs with soap and water in their own driveway. Not good information for most people.
To really dig into fibers, we must first talk about the difference between each of the most popular fibers used in today’s rug market. There are different fiber categories, synthetic (man-made) and natural. In this paper we will focus on Polyester, Nylon, Polypropylene, Wool, Silk, Viscose, Cotton (mercerized), jute and sisal.
Most Common Fibers in the Market Today
Polyester is a synthetic fiber. It is the most popular fiber sold in wall-to-wall applications as well as budget friendly area rugs. Polyester is naturally stain-resistant and friendly to pets and their accidents. Where polyester doesn’t fair as well is with oily stains such as body oil from pets or petroleum-based stains. Polyester isn’t as resilient as wool and mats down and shows wear rather quickly. Polyester is a great choice if you have pets and kids and are not looking to keep the rug for a long time. Polyester is not eco-friendly as it is a petroleum-based product. When thrown away, it would be like putting plastic into a landfill. There is a fiber in the polyester family that is called PET and is manufactured using recycled water bottles. This fiber can be recycled after using it, so it is much more environmentally friendly. PET fiber is very similar to Polyester in durability and its stain resistance.
Nylon is a synthetic fiber that is stain resistant to most spots and spills and has better resilience than polyester or PET. Nylon does not have the same luxurious feel as wool, but it is less expensive and much more pet friendly. Cleaning nylon is easier, and it is also generally fade resistant, so you don’t have to worry about having nylon in a high traffic room with a lot of windows and sunlight. It is a much better choice for long-term wear than any other synthetic fiber on the market.
Wool is the most popular natural fiber used in the manufacture of area rugs. Wool is durable, resilient, and has a luxurious feel. It is used in most hand knotted and hand-woven rugs as a face fiber and as a foundation fiber as well. The downside to wool is if you have pets and they have accidents often, urine will damage and breakdown the wool fiber. Not vacuuming or maintaining your wool rugs will also damage the fibers. Cleaning products with a high pH damage the fibers. Most over the counter spotters harm the wool fiber and can create texture distortion and bleeding if used. Wool lasts for a long time with proper care.
Silk is an extremely soft and luxurious natural fiber and is usually much more expensive than alternative materials; however, it tends to stain very easily. It can be very difficult to clean, especially if the person cleaning the rug is not educated in how to handle potential dye instability and fiber distortion. There are other types of fibers that are sold as real silk that are not. Silk is a natural fiber made from silk cocoons from silkworms. Viscose, rayon, banana silk, bamboo silk, art silk or even man-made silk are absolutely NOT REAL SILK. These are regenerated cellulose fibers spun into a filament to mimic silk at a much lower price. I have seen in some cases consumers being taken advantage of and paying just as much for these inferior fibers as they would for real silk.
Viscose is in the Rayon family. Some of the many names used for viscose are banana silk, bamboo silk, art silk, Tencel or even man-made silk. These fibers are not friendly to any type of water or water-based spots and spills. If you attempt to spot clean an area on these rugs, you will immediately see a brown ring that forms around the spot you were trying to remove. The fibers are very weak and break easily. You do not want to use a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar because it is too aggressive for the fibers. You will create sprouts and break fibers. Pet spots and accidents almost immediately stain once they hit these fibers. The way the fibers are manufactured, they are paper-like and absorb anything that is spilled immediately. It’s wood pulp that is spun with highly toxic and corrosive chemicals to create the fiber filament. The manufacturing process for viscose is sold as eco-friendly but the manufacturing process is highly toxic and it is damaging to the environment.
Cotton is a natural fiber that is plant derived. It is used most often as a foundation fiber in rugs. There are some rugs that use cotton as a face fiber. Cotton is most often not used as a face fiber because it is not very durable. Most rug fringe is cotton. Cotton can brown easily if not cleaned and dried properly. It can also stain very easily. Pet urine damages cotton fibers. Chlorine bleach used to make fringes whiter after cleaning can cause cotton to deteriorate. Cotton rugs can be cleaned easily but can bleed or have pre-existing bleeding. Cotton rugs should not be used in high traffic areas where there is a lot of water. High pH over-the-counter spotters can also cause color loss on cotton rugs.
Jute is a plant material that is woven into rugs. Jute is softer than sisal, but not as durable. It is not pet friendly or recommended in areas that could get wet easily. If jute is cleaned, the texture and look of the fiber will change. It is never recommended to spot clean jute as it could cause color loss with high pH over-the-counter spotters. Jute almost always shrinks when it gets wet and cleanability is very limited as well.
Sisal is also a plant-based material used in rugs. Sisal is much more durable than jute, but it also has a coarse texture. Sisal is also not recommended to be used in areas where it could become wet. Pet urine will remove the color from sisal and create permanent stains. Sisal is also not easy to clean. The whole piece must be wet and almost always will look and feel different after cleaning. Many sisal rugs are bound in cotton that can shrink when wet, so this is often an issue as well.
Rug Construction
The construction of an area rug is also an important consideration for consumers when considering what type of rug to purchase. There are many different types of rug construction, but for the purpose of this paper I will go into detail on the most popular rug construction on the market today.
Hand-Knotted
Hand-knotted rugs are the very best rugs you can purchase. They come in all fiber types, colors, designs, and are made in many different countries. Hand-knotted rugs must be cleaned by a professional in a rug cleaning facility. Hot water extraction or steam machines damage the cotton foundation of area rugs. If a wool hand-knotted rug stays wet for too long, dry rot and mold will set in. Hand-knotted rugs can be used in all areas of the home and can be contemporary as well as traditional.
Handloomed
Handloomed rugs are often marketed as hand-knotted, however, they are made on a mechanized loom and operated by hand.
The warp and weft of the rug are very loose and therefore cause issues with the structure of the rug. By making rugs this way, the manufacturer can produce a higher volume of rugs in less time. The quality is poor but often they are sold at a very expensive price under designer name brands as a less expensive alternative to hand-knotted rugs. They often will stretch out of shape or tear when cleaned or simply moved around. These rugs can sometimes come from the manufacturer with issues such as holes and the side selvage and corners coming undone. These rugs are not recommended for use in a high traffic area.
Machine-Made Rugs (Karastan)
Machine-made rugs are good rugs for durability if you have pets and children with a high traffic environment. They are generally less expensive than a hand knotted rug and can be easily cleaned. These rugs can be safely pit soaked if pet accidents are an issue without the concern of dye bleed most of the time. Some machine-made rugs with wool fibers can be damaged by pet urine and will bleed. Machine made rugs do not have the wow factor and luxurious feel of a hand knotted or hand-woven area rug. They also do not have longevity of a hand knotted or hand-woven rug. Many of these rugs end up in our landfills every year.
Bound or Serged Pieces of Carpet
Some homeowners with pets and children will take pieces of wall-to-wall carpet such as nylon or polyester and have them bound. This is a good option if you are concerned with stains from pet accidents or if it is used in a very high traffic environment.
Hand-Tufted
Hand-tufted rugs are tufted with a hand tufting gun and have a primary and secondary (cotton) backing glued on using a latex glue to give it stability. There are high end tufted rugs and very inexpensive tufted rugs. All tufted rugs have the same cleaning considerations. They cannot get very wet or be left damp for long periods of time. Mold will set in, and it will also break down the latex glue that is holding the rug together. Over time, you will notice a powder under the rug and think it is dirt or dust, but it is the latex glue breaking down and wearing out. These rugs will generally last 10-15 years and the higher end rugs will last 20+ years. Pet urine is very difficult to remove from these rugs because it gets trapped in the latex glue and a complete repair and remediation is necessary to remove the odor.
Looped, Hooked, and Braided Rugs
Looped, hooked, and braided rugs are often made by friends and family with kits that are sold in stores. There are machine tufted hooked rugs made in India and China. These rugs wear quickly and will sometimes shrink or buckle if improperly cleaned due to the cotton foundation that they hook the wool through. Older hand-hooked rugs were tufted on burlap . These rugs can easily tear and come apart as the burlap deteriorated. It is not uncommon for the cotton or plastic thread used to hold together the braided rugs to come apart and need to be resewn.
Flatweaves - Dhurries and Kilms and Navajos
These rugs generally are made from wool and are more durable than a tufted rug. They must be washed in a rug washing facility to make sure the dye is stable and they are not damaged during the washing process. Most of these rugs can be turned over and used on either side and come in fun and bright colors. Special care must be taken in the use of these rugs as they can easily be damaged by aggressive vacuums and a lot of foot traffic.
Hides and Sheepskins
If you have pets or children, these are rugs I would recommend staying away from. They need special care to keep their hide from becoming brittle and stiff. If water or pet urine are introduced, then they must be placed through a wash process. Most of the time the urine or water will leave permanent marks on the hides that are not able to be removed. Hides and sheepskins also are susceptible to premature wear and fiber distortion if used in a high traffic area.
The Environment and Sustainability in the Rug Market
Natural fibers are much more eco-friendly than synthetic fibers. Natural fiber rugs also tend to last a lot longer than synthetics which means less waste in our landfills. Natural fibers can often be recycled when many synthetics cannot. Some manufacturers are working on ways to use recycled materials to make rugs from plastic bottles. The downside to this type of fiber is that it doesn’t wear well long term even if it is more stain resistant. Also, the rugs just aren’t as vibrant or soft and supple as a lot of other types of fibers on the market.
Consumers can look to having fiber protection applied to rugs such as wool and silk to help with stains and to make cleaning more effective. Fiber protection products can also help to make vacuuming more effective. It also helps to make the use of natural fibers in homes with pets and children more available.
In conclusion, choosing the right area rug for your home is a personal decision. Having a hand-woven piece of art is more important to some people than functionality. Having pets in the home and or heavy traffic can also be a determining factor in the type of rug that you choose. At the end of the day, it is important to understand your options and take into consideration your lifestyle, budget and how long you expect to keep the area rug. I personally would rather have a hand-woven work of art in my home than a synthetic carpet or rug.
In addition to this paper, I have put together a brochure for consumers on purchasing an area rug for their home. I am hopeful this can be a resource that other ARCS members can utilize in their business to assist their customers.
References:
Books:
- Amirkhan, Ellen and Groseclose, Aaron. A Comprehensive Guide to Oriental and Specialty Rug Cleaning. Dallas, Texas: Master Rug Cleaner, LLC, Copyrite 2012
Internet Sites:
- Doherty, Ruth. “How to Choose a Rug – 20 Expert Tips”, Homes and Gardens, July 8, 2021, How to choose a rug – 20 expert tips | Homes & Gardens (homesandgardens.com).
- Abbas, Abe. “How to Pick the Best Rug Material”, The Spruce, March 16, 2021, How to Pick the Right Material for Your Rug (thespruce.com).
- Simmons, Cheryl. “Natural vs. Synthetic Carpet Fibers”, The Spruce, July 16, 2022, Natural vs. Synthetic Carpet Fibers Compared (thespruce.com).
Upcoming Class Schedule
Intermediate In-Plant Rug Cleaning
(Dallas, TX)
Dates: October 2-4, 2024
Location: Oriental Rug Cleaning Co., Dallas, TX
The class consists of three intensive eight-hour days taught primarily on the work floor of an operational wash plant. Topics covered will be cleaning chemistry, spotting, rug identification, learning to ‘read’ and identify rug construction, rug intake assessment, rug washing, drying theory, and finishing after wash. Hands-on portions of the class will demonstrate the practical application of all that theory on an active wash floor in real-time. The hands-on training will focus on wet cleaning; students will wash a lot of rugs and have the opportunity to try a range of techniques and observe the results. More than just an opportunity to work and learn on a high-production wash floor, students will gain a broader understanding of the cleaning process and how it applies to their own businesses. The fee for the class includes lunch for the three days, handouts, and all teaching materials. A short test will be given at the end of the class session. You will need to bring wash boots.
Discover Rug Cleaning
(Knoxville, TN)
Dates: RESCHEDULING - TBD
Location: Carr's Rug Cleaning in Knoxville, TN
Founded by Bob Carr, Carr's Rug Cleaning has been a leader in the textile cleaning industry since 1984. We were the first in Knoxville to become Certified Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning technicians as well as the first Certified Rug Specialist in the state of Tennessee. We place a huge emphasis on training and education in rug and carpet cleaning, doing our best to stay up to date on the most advanced cleaning techniques. We do not use a one-size-fits-all approach for our services. With meticulous attention to detail, we employ the best methods and professional cleaning agents for your particular fabric, stone, or hardwood floor, and their specific issues.
Dye Stripping and Finishing Combo Class (Indianapolis, IN)
Dates: October 9-11, 2024
Location: Oriental Rug Cleaning of Indianapolis in Indianapolis, IN
Andrija Malbasa will lead this intensive 3-day, hands-on rug washing and dye correction class including a full day spent on advanced rug spotting & finishing techniques used in top rug plants across the country.
This class introduces chemicals and techniques used to remove dye migration and stains commonly used in wash plants around the world, exploring with firsthand experiences, their benefits and learning to understand their limitations. Participants receive ample time to experience hands-on wash floor rug washing, dye stripping, fringe color correction, and urine stain removal with reducing agents and oxidizers. The third day we will spend time teaching to evaluate a rug’s ‘after wash’ condition and assess what final finishing procedures it takes to deliver top quality with your rug cleaning service! As a bonus, attendees leave with a Formulation Guide to the reducing and oxidizing products used during the event and a list of various suppliers to purchase from.
Discover Rug Cleaning (Palm Desert, CA)
Dates: November 2, 2024
Location: The Rug Salon by Spot Out
The Rug Salon by Spot Out, Inc. is Coachella Valley’s premier state of the art rug washing facility. Located in Palm Desert, CA, The Rug Salon has been cleaning area rugs and high-end upholstery in our cleaning facility since 2014. During this class you will have the opportunity to put on your wash boots and see how to wash rugs. Whether you’re just starting out with very little equipment, or you are a little more seasoned and want to see how to use a tumble duster, wash tub and centrifuge, this class has something for everyone. All skill levels are welcome. This is a great opportunity to see how a medium sized rug plant runs and operates. The Rug Salon has two Master Rug Cleaner certified staff members as well as the areas only Certified Rug Specialist. This is a hands on class so, BYOB (bring your own boots) and come see what rug washing is all about. Lunch, drinks and snacks are included!
Turkey Journey
Dates: November 1-16, 2024
Location: Turkey
Great food, wonderful people, beautiful fall weather. Immerse yourself in Turkish culture while visiting big cities, small mountain villages, ancient ruins, and busy markets. Enjoy a guided tour through Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, Usak, - Konya, and the old city, beaches, and Greek ruins of Antalya.
Private tours of rug washing and ‘antiquing’ plants, restoration facilities, rug museums, collectors, dealers, and an ongoing discussion of the rug industry as it is today with the people in that industry. Just enough driving so we can see some beautiful scenery; not too much time in busses.
New Member Spotlight!
Carpet Cleaning Ruhr GmbH & Co. KG: A Historical Overview
Carpet Cleaning Ruhr GmbH & Co. KG was founded in 1965 with 8 employees as a consortium of three cleaners:
1. Albert Croon, dyer
2. Großwäscherei Edelweiß, Franz Gödde -> now ELIS West GmbH
3. Heinrich Heinz, master dyer
4. Georg Ruess
The demand for carpet cleaning grew significantly in the 1960s, prompting these four cleaners to join forces and establish a dedicated carpet cleaning company, building a 4-meter washing line. The facility was built on approximately 2,900 square meters, including a carpet washing line and an office space of 1,300 square meters.
In 1986, Carpet Cleaning Ruhr expanded its premises and added new halls. A completely new and innovative washing line, equipped with the latest technology from the American company "MOR," was developed and constructed. This resulted in the first 5-meter washing line in all of Europe. The property now covered an area of 5,000 square meters, and the hall, including the washing line, was expanded from 1,300 square meters to 3,000 square meters. A new drying tower of 225 square meters was built, and additional equipment such as two centrifuges, one beater machine, two tumblers, five paddle boards, one long spinner, four Berber squeezers, and water recovery systems were added. This established the largest carpet washing line in Germany. The daily capacity of the drying tower includes 1,500 square meters of carpets. A three-shift system was introduced with 45 employees to process the large volumes of carpets around the clock. However, with the significant decline in carpet demand in the early 2000s, the cleaning volume also decreased.
#### Annual Carpet Cleaning Volumes:
- 1966: 41,000 sqm
- 1976: 199,230 sqm
- 1986: 337,190 sqm
- 1991: 678,684 sqm (highest ever processed sqm)
- 1996: 530,128 sqm
- 2006: 263,502 sqm
- 2016: 110,739 sqm
- 2023: 68,775 sqm
#### Development Milestones:
- 1986: Acquired a cleaning facility in Düsseldorf as a second location.
- 1989: Acquired the Röver cleaning facility in Frankfurt as a third location.
- 1990: Acquired the company I-Tex.
- 1990: Washed carpets for the company Vartesk N.V. in the Netherlands.
- 1991: Washed carpets for Belgium.
- 1991: Washed carpets for Luxembourg.
- 1991: Assisted the business partner Carpet Cleaning Westphalen after a major fire.
- 1999: Acquired the company Terlinden in Switzerland and established a fourth location. Terlinden was sold and closed in 2001, then handed over to the company Lässer.
- 2009: Acquired a new wringer from the company Heckmann in Dortmund.
- 2012: Sold the Frankfurt location with the Röver company to Carpet Cleaning Runte.
- 2015: Discontinued carpet cleaning for Luxembourg.
- 2017: Washed carpets in Hanover for a friendly carpet cleaning company, Stichweh, while their hall was being restored.
- 2019: The last company owner, Mr. Croon, passed away, and my stepfather, Dr. Hanno Ziehm (Stichweh GmbH & Co. KG in Hanover), and I took over the TRR operation.
- 2020: Added upholstery cleaning as a new business line.
- 2022: Acquired Drangwitz GmbH in Bochum and integrated the rental mat and rag cleaning business.
- 2023: Washed carpets again for the Dutch company Deep Dye E.V., but discontinued due to their insolvency.
Until 2019, Carpet Cleaning Ruhr primarily worked with business customers. Since 2020, we have increasingly opened up to the market for private customers.
TRR is a co-founder of the ATW (Working Group of Carpet Cleaners), a subsidiary of the DTV (German Textile Association). Additionally, since its early years, TRR has been the only German member of the European Carpet Cleaners Association. Current member countries include Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.
As of today, TRR employs 15 people, 5 of whom have been with the company for over 30 years. TRR and its team are always open to new products and keep up with the times. The exchange with partners both regionally and internationally is also important.
A Clean Start - Alan and Audrey Falls’ Journey in Rug Washing
Alan grew up in his family’s cleaning and restoration business. In the spring of 2020, Alan and his wife Audrey started their own cleaning and restoration business. From the start, they wanted to focus on rug cleaning.
In 2020, they purchased a building that had been built as a rug washing business that operated from 1950-2000. While running their busy residential carpet cleaning business, any spare time or money went to remodeling the building over the next four years.
They started their journey by joining online rug training meetings, but saw people having lots of problems related to rug cleaning. After trying to wash two large thick Indian wool rugs full of pet urine with a DIY tub, a rug sucker, plastic pallets and a sore back, Alan and Audrey seriously questioned continuing this path. However, they decided to keep continuing their education and knowledge.
They learned a lot attending the Master Rug Cleaner program, reading posts from respected members on the rug washers forum Facebook page and visiting several ARCS members facilities. Visiting other successful rug washing facilities was one of the best things they did.
Alan wanted to see how other plants were set up, ask what they would do different if starting over, and discuss their process, chemistry and equipment. He wanted to start with the end in mind and set up his facility once, in a way that would allow growth and volume.
The most impactful visit was to Robert Mann’s in Denver, CO. Audrey and Alan worked side by side with Robert’s talented team for a week. Robert was willing to answer questions and give advice from his vast experience and expertise. They witnessed things there that they had heard “couldn’t be done,” yet Mann’s was getting amazing results and happy customers.
That week heavily influenced the types of equipment purchased and how to approach the rug cleaning process from start to finish. Robert’s generosity and willingness to help Alan and Audrey was appreciated and will never be forgotten.
Alan worked with Murat at RugCleaningStuff.com which was a great experience with helpful support. From RCS they purchased a tumbler, wash tub, rinse wringer, and centrifuge. Also found in their facility is a Cambridge Heater, pressure washer and a drying rack.
After four years of hard work, the facility has turned out amazing. Together, Alan and Audrey have created the only rug washing facility in Northeastern Indiana. They enjoyed attending their first ARCS convention in San Diego in April 2024. The ARCS members, association, and networking have been so valuable in their journey.
Alan and Audrey look to the future with excitement as they build their team and this division of their business.
If you are a member of ARCS,
please join our ARCS Member page on Facebook!
For great information and sharing!
