2023 Second Quarter Newsletter
Navajo Textile Arts
by H. P. Mera
A simply laid out explanation of unique types of Navajo weavings.
- Mike Jensen
Blanket Weaving in the Southwest
by Joe Ben Wheat
A favorite book of mine is Blanket Weaving in the Southwest by Joe Ben Wheat. Living in New Mexico, we see a lot of native textiles, particularly Navajo rugs. Wheat takes on the daunting task of technically analyzing thousands of pieces to get a catalogue of local weaving history and the evolution of the Southwestern rug. Presented in this massive tome are historical backgrounds, fiber analyses, dye analyses, weaving constructions, and almost 200 plates showing weavings from across the Southwest. These plates, drawn from museums nationwide, are perfectly photographed and detailed with construction and dye specifics for each piece. The details can be a bit daunting, but you will not find a book that more thoroughly breaks down the details of a Navajo rug with such care and loving illustrations.
- Brian Benzel
How To Clean Rugs And Upholstery Fabrics
by C.C. Hubbard
On e of my favorite rug books specifically about cleaning is “How to Clean Rugs & Upholstery Fabrics” by Clarence Custer (C.C.) Hubbard. Published in 1930 by the newly-formed Rug Cleaner’s Institute of America, this book set out to define the common challenges cleaners were then facing as well as their solutions (pun intended). Chapter titles include everything from “The History of Floor Coverings” to “Formulas”, “Tests” & “Processes”, HCRUF (a fun acronym if I ever there was one) provided what was then the most comprehensive reference for the cleaning industry. While almost a century old, it strikes me how much information is still applicable in today’s wash plants and how similar many plants featured are to those currently in operation. It contains information from the outdated, such as the primary source of dry rot was believed to be aqueous sulphuric acid transfer from batteries to one of the better ink remover recipes I’ve ever used and everything in between. It can be a bit of a slog to read (colorful pictures and drawings are for wimps, anyway) but is well worth it.
It can’t possibly be that good you say? I beg to differ and offer the following anecdote as exhibit A. When it was first released, H.M. Amirkhan, Sr. (Ellen’s immigrant grandfather) bought all that was available at the time to make sure no one else could get their hands on it. Those who are familiar with how “frugal” Armenian rug cleaners can know that’s no small compliment.
- Armen Dohanian III
Discover Rug Cleaning (Wake Forest, NC)
Date: July 22, 2023
Location: Pettyjohn's Cleaning & Restoration of Raleigh NC
Are you fascinated by the art of rug cleaning? Do you dream of owning your own rug-washing business? Look no further! We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming "Discover Rug Cleaning" event, where you can dive deep into the world of rug washing and decide if this industry is the perfect fit for you. Mark your calendars for an exciting day on July 22nd, 2023, at Pettyjohn's Rug Cleaning & Restoration in Wake Forest, NC.
Member Registration
Non-Member Registration
Discover Rug Cleaning
(Rochester, NY)
Dates: September 30, 2023
Location: Pinnacle Eco Clean, Inc.
Rochester, NY
At their 3,000-square-foot rug-washing facility located just outside of Rochester, New York, the technicians at Pinnacle Eco Clean have been successfully cleaning all sorts of textiles from around the world! Pinnacle utilizes many of the highest quality machines and devices to assist in their rug washing process, along with specially selected chemistry to deliver the best results possible in an eco-friendly manner. Their background in the cleaning industry with cleaning carpets, upholstery, and all types of hard surface flooring gave them a competitive and technological edge when they decided to take on rug washing. In the business for over 40 years, their education and insight are unmatched in their area. From rug check-in to dusting, and washing to putting the final finishing touches on their clients’ rugs, each technician takes pride in what they do, making sure that the finished result is the best it could possibly be.
Member Registration
Non-Member Registration
Discover Rug Cleaning (Olathe, KS)
Date: October 21, 2023
Location: Kansas City Rug Cleaning and Repair
Kansas City Rug Cleaning and Repair is a medium-sized washing operation that began professionally cleaning rugs in 2014. Get up and close and personal with using a tumble duster, centrifuge, electric hanging tower & hands-on washing on the wash floor. See what cleaning rugs in a medium-sized rug cleaning business really looks like!
Member Registration
Non-Member Registration
2023 The Experience Convention (Las Vegas, NV)
Date: September 6-8
Location: Las Vegas, NV
ARCS, The Association of Rug Care Specialists, is offering all Experience participants a chance to visit with some of the most experienced and skilled rug washers in the country. Stop by our booth for the rug quiz and chances to win some amazing prizes!
Come visit us at our booth #214!
Click HERE to register
ARCS Small Group Travel
Date: November 1-4
Location: Sante Fe, NM
We’re receiving incredible access to galleries, private collections, and museums. We’ll dive head first into the big world of Southwest textiles, visiting with the people who collect them and the people who take care of them.
Click HERE to register
Member Spotlight
KC Rug Cleaning & Repair (Olathe, KS)
In January of '23, we moved from a 4,500 sq ft facility to a 6,000 sq ft facility. The new space consists of approximately 4,000 sq ft of warehouse and 2,000 sq ft of mixed private office, lobby, break room, and repair room. We also have about 1,000 sq ft of mezzanine for storage of rugs and other items. This is our fourth move in nine years of being in business, and with each new space, we learn a little more and improve it further. Our goal was simple: to expand and enhance each part of the warehouse.
Wash floor
The biggest expense in modifying our new space was the construction of the wash floor. We upgraded from a 400 sq ft flat wash floor to a 600 sq ft wash floor. Initially, we cut and removed a 20'x30' section in the warehouse, installed trench drains, connected them to the wastewater system, and then poured new concrete in its place. Taking advice from several ARCS members, we opted for a sloped wash floor with a 1/8" slope per foot. To prevent moisture from surfacing, a plastic moisture barrier was added just below the rebar. Lastly, we applied an epoxy coating to complete the project.
Warehouse flooring
The flooring throughout the warehouse was in pretty bad shape, so we hired the same company that installed the epoxy to fill in the cracks and polish all the concrete. Now, we have a smooth and even surface that not only looks nice but is also easy to clean and sweep.
Office
We wanted a spacious and inviting lobby, but the previous tenant had divided it into two separate areas, necessitating some demolition work. Equipped with sledgehammers and a sawzall, Jordan and I embarked on tearing down the dividing wall. However, what we anticipated to be an enjoyable task turned out to be a lengthy and laborious process due to subpar construction and electrical wiring. Additionally, a significant portion of the flooring had to be replaced because the tile was installed around a granite desk.
Your 2023 Board Members
Aaron Glazier - President
Certified Clean Care
www.certifiedcleancare.com
Aaron has been with Certified Clean Care since 2013 and is currently the Rug Shop Manager. In that timeframe, he completed his degree with a Bachelor's in Business Management. Got married to his bride in 2015 and recently just had his first child on Valentine’s Day of this year. He completed the Master Rug Cleaner course in 2018 and has been a member of ARCS for several years now. He enjoys smoking BBQ in his off time and travels every chance he gets.
Jordan King - Vice President
Oriental Rug Cleaning of Indianapolis
www.orientalrugcleaningindianapolis.com
Jordan is the operations manager at Oriental Rug Cleaning of Indianapolis and Sani-Bright Carpet Cleaning. Since joining the business in 2009, Jordan’s passion for service has helped fuel its rapid growth. He is a certified Master Rug Cleaner and holds the CRS designation. Jordan has always had an entrepreneurial spirit; through high school and college, he owned & operated a successful recording studio as well as a lawn care business. He has found the networking, education, and friendships formed through ARCS events & classes to be highly valuable. It continues to give him and his team the edge they need to bring a 5-Star experience to their clients.
Steven DeMarco II - Treasurer
Triple S Carpet & Drapery Cleaners
www.triplesclean.com
Triple S is a family business that started in 1963 and has entered its third generation. Steven has over thirty years of experience in the family business and is currently the Director of In Plant Operations. He oversees the operations of the Drapery, Upholstery and Rug cleaning Plants. Steven holds the CRS certification from ARCS. He was part of the inaugural CRS class and has served on the Board of Directors for ARCS when it was founder. He is also a certified Master Textile Cleaner from IICRC. Outside of work, Steven enjoys spending his time with his family and fishing.
Trent Woods - Secretary
Stanley Steemer
www.stanleysteemer.com
Trent is a 2010 graduate from the University of Akron. He began his career in 2012 as a carpet cleaning technician with Stanley Steemer. After working as a cleaning technician, he worked in the air duct cleaning division and water restoration department before being promoted to run the new area rug plant facility in Columbus, OH. Trent’s passion for area rugs quickly grew and was promoted to do what he loves at a national level within the company. He currently oversees several facilities across the country within the corporate and franchise system. He helps with the setup of plant facilities, training technicians and is constantly improving the area rug cleaning division. Trent looks forward to working with some of the best leaders in the rug cleaning industry and taking the next step with the Association of Rug Care Specialists.
Tevi Cory - Director at Large
Robert Mann Rugs, Inc.
www.mannrugs.com
Tevi is the CFO at Robert Mann Rugs in Denver, CO where she started as an office manager and bookkeeper in 1997. She served on the ARCS Board of Directors in 2014, then as President of ARCS in 2015 & 2016 and then Past President in 2017.
Damon Fortenberry - Director at Large
Aladdin Cleaning & Restoration
www.aladdincleans.com
Damon has over 25 years of experience in the restoration business, 15 years of hands-on rug care expertise as the Rug Cleaning Operations Manager, and has currently been at Aladdin since 2003. He has acquired status as a Certified Rug Specialist (CRS), a 2016 graduate of the Master Rug Cleaner program (MRC), and holds a Master Textile Cleaner status with the Institute of Inspection Cleaning & Restoration Certification (IIRC). Damon's key to success is to take pride in your work and the rest will follow! Damon is a San Antonio native and is outnumbered in a household of beautiful women – wife Sarah and daughters, Liz and Aspen.
Connie Klopfenstein - Director at Large
The Rug Salon by Spot Out, Inc.
www.therugsalon.com
Connie is Vice President of Spot Out, Inc. and The Rug Salon in Palm Desert, California. With over 20 years in the cleaning industry, Connie holds a Master Rug Cleaner Certification and is a Certified Rug Specialist. This is Connie’s first term serving on the Board of Directors for ARCS. Connie and her husband, Josh, have 4 adult children. In her free time, she enjoys working out, mid-century modern design, and spending time with her family.
Kyle Kluth - Director at Large
Pinnacle Eco Clean, Inc.
www.rochestercarpetcare.com
My name is Kyle Kluth and I am the Operations Manager for my father's carpet cleaning company, Pinnacle Eco Clean, in Rochester, NY. We have a full-service Rug Washing Plant and specialize in washing and repairing oriental rugs. In my spare time, I love to go camping, kayaking, mountain biking, and skiing. My favorite rug would have to be a Khorjeen Kazak rug. I love the designs and the jewel tones that are in these rugs.
Katie Reuther - Director at Large
Pettyjohn's Cleaning & Restoration
www.rugwasher.com
Like many in this industry, Katie Pettyjohn Reuther started cleaning early in life. She was pulling hoses in her father’s cleaning business in third grade! Katie and her husband, Andrew Reuther (an Iraqi war veteran and Purple Heart recipient) manage Pettyjohn’s, one of the finest Rug Cleaning operations in the country. Katie is heavily involved in two local chambers of commerce and serves on the Board of the MidSouth Professional Cleaners Association and is a member of the IICRC S – 400 Upholstery Cleaning Standard revision committee. She and Andrew are proud parents of Bobby and Magnolia.
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