Air Duct Cleaning

We are excited about our new air duct trailer, pictured below.  Give us a call at 1-800-828-3969 to set up your air duct estimate.  Breathe clean!

Happy clients

Catching up on some client testimonials:

5/8/13  "Overall Feeling: it was very good and the response was fast & courteous.  Thank you.  Benefits: I liked how they explained things to me on what to expect and gave me a bottle of  Home Pro Spotter.  Just very good & quick."  Signed Chuck M.

5/14/13  "Overall feeling: I have had good service in the past, that’s why I called them again.  Benefits: Yellow Van cleaned, I didn’t have to & they scotchguarded the carpets also.  My carpet cleaning tech was friendly, courteous & efficient."  Signed Gaye M.

See more at www.yellowvan.com

Disaster Preparedness Tip

Are you ready?

No one likes to think about the 'worst-case' scenario, but when it comes to preparedness, it's part of the planning.  Being prepared means you have a plan, resources, and awareness of the risks.  It is not paranoia, but rather taking the opportunity to anticipate and respond appropriately.  

One way to prepare is to have a 'kit' ready.  Some of the items you should have in the kit:
-flashlight and batteries (change out the batteries regularly)
-first-aid kit
-matches
-copies of important documents
-extra clothes for each person in the household
-medication list or medication supply (talk to your doctor)
-identification

Check out more resources at these websites:

www.ready.gov

www.bereadynebraska.com

www.buffalowatch.net

www.cityofkearney.org

http://www.grand-island.com

Yellow Van's Vision

We want to share our vision with you!

Yellow Van Vision

Spring Cleaning & Air Quality - Part 3

Austin Air

Even though we can’t tell which season we are in for sure, and even though we haven’t seen the last of the winter weather just yet, we do have allergies happen from various pollinating trees.  So if you suffer from seasonal allergies, particularly an allergy to trees, it may be a good time to start with your allergy treatments.

If allergies are problematic for you or your family, consider having your home deep-cleaned; carpets, upholstery, and air ducts.  Yellow Van also offers air cleaners from Austin Air.  They are very effective at removing particles from the air we breathe.  We have air cleaners for every need, and we can offer a demo model so you can experience it for yourself.

Some of Austin Air’s Machines: 

· HealthMate

· HealthMate Jr.

· Allergy Machine

· Allergy Machine Jr.

· HealthMate+

· HealthMate+ Jr.

· Pet Machine

· Bedroom Machine

· Baby Machine

Happy customers!

Received a call yesterday from a very satisfied client.  She said that her Dad came to visit the weekend after we cleaned her carpets, and he thought they had installed new carpet.  That's how well it cleaned up!  Kudos to our technicians for a job well done and very happy client.

Spring Cleaning & Air Quality - Part 2

Laser Particle Counter

We have devices that can monitor the air quality in a home or business.  These monitors can tell us the number of particles in the air.  It allows us to check equipment, such as air scrubbers, to verify that the pieces are working properly.  It also helps us keep safe working environments for our employees on the job site. 

Air quality affects people differently.  Those who are more sensitive, perhaps with allergies and asthma, will have a greater need of clean air. 

How to improve air quality

There are several things that influence air quality.  Your carpet is the biggest filter in the home, and we see more homes putting in hard surfaces (tile, wood, laminate, etc.) which keeps more particles in the air. 

Air duct cleaning and maintenance on your HVAC system is important to air quality.  Regular cleaning of your air ducts will help reduce particles in the air.  It is also very important to have the proper furnace filter in your system.  You need one with a MERV rating between 7-12.  This will be effective in trapping particles, but not so high that it restricts air flow.  Change this filter regularly.  Yellow Van gives free estimates for air duct cleaning, and has tools to inspect the inside of ducts before we begin work.  Call us at 800-828-3969 to set up your estimate.

Spring Cleaning & Air Quality - Part 1

KHGI-TV/KWNB-TV/KHGI-CD-Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings

SAFE Center Purse Auction

Check out our donation to the SAFE Center Purse Auction - get your Husker spirit going with our Nebraska purse.  Plus, we are donating 2 memberships to the Kearney Area Children's Museum.  Each membership comes with a dancing monkey to add a little laughter!

The Purse Auction is May 10, 2013.  Tickets can be purchased by calling the S.A.F.E. Center at 237-2599.

News release - IICRC - Carpet Repair & Reinstallation

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is proud to announce that Warner Flores and Michael Keiter of Yellow Van Cleaning & Restoration in Kearney recently have qualified by education and examination as technicians certified in Carpet Repair and Reinstallation.  These students have spent a great deal of time training to reach this level of certification.  

The IICRC is a nonprofit certifying and standard-setting organization dedicated to raising industry standards through technical proficiency.  By administering a strict process of certification, The IICRC provides a means by which consumers can receive the highest quality of service from trained, knowledgeable, and professional technicians.

Yellow Van Cleaning & Restoration is now in its 31^st year of business providing Residential and Commercial cleaning, as well as 24 hour emergency water cleanup, to Central Nebraska with certifications in Carpet, Upholstery, Fire & Water Damage Restoration, Janitorial, and Stone & Marble Cleaning.  Yellow Van is a member of the Better Business Bureau, Kearney, Grand Island, and Hastings Chambers of Commerce.  They can be reached at 1-800-828-3969 for 24 hour Emergency Response Services, online at www.yellowvan.com, or at their main location – 206 East 6^th Street in Kearney.

Warner and Michael join the ranks of the true professionals within the cleaning, restoration, and inspection industry.  The IICRC welcomes their participation and continuing education.

Warner Flores (left), Michael Keiter (right)

Allergy season - ready or not, here it comes!

What you thought was just a winter cold, may in fact be the start of your seasonal allergies.  Even though we haven’t seen the last of the winter weather just yet, some trees are starting to pollinate as early as February in certain parts of the country.  So if you suffer from seasonal allergies, particularly an allergy to trees, it may be a good time to start with your allergy treatments.

If allergies are problematic for you or your family, consider having your home deep-cleaned; carpets, upholstery, and air ducts.  Yellow Van also offers air cleaners from Austin Air.  They are very effective at removing particles from the air we breathe.  We have air cleaners for every need, and we can offer a demo model so you can experience it for yourself.

Some of Austin Air's machines include:

• HealthMate
• HealthMate Jr.
• Allergy Machine
• Allergy Machine Jr.
• HealthMate+
• HealthMate+ Jr.
• Pet Machine
• Bedroom Machine
• Baby Machine

Ranging from $375.00 to $765.00, stop by our office or call to learn how you can experience Austin Air for Life with a demo model!

  

Floor Care (Hard Surface) Training by the IICRC

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is proud to announce that Bob Slaymaker, Billy Phillippi, and Warner Flores of Yellow Van Cleaning & Restoration in Kearney recently have attended training for Floor Care (Hard Surface) cleaning.  

Currently, Yellow Van holds 74 certifications among 12 employees.    Yellow Van Cleaning & Restoration is now in its 31^st year of business providing Residential and Commercial cleaning, as well as 24 hour emergency water cleanup, to Central Nebraska with certifications in Carpet, Upholstery, Fire & Water Damage Restoration, Janitorial, and Stone & Marble Cleaning.  Yellow Van is a member of the Better Business Bureau, Kearney, Grand Island, and Hastings Chambers of Commerce.  They can be reached at 1-800-828-3969 for 24 hour Emergency Response Services, online at www.yellowvan.com, or at their main location – 206 East 6^th Street in Kearney.  Congratulations!

(l-r) Bob Slaymaker, Billy Phillippi, Warner Flores 

Featured in the Kearney Hub

Our Gallup program efforts merited an article in the Hub.  Gallup has been a great program for us, and we're excited to keep growing.  We've only just begun . . . !

Testimonial!

We received an excellent testimonial from a very happy client:

Overall feeling:  We liked how your representatives explained to us the ins and outs of the cleaning process with the cat’s issues.  Explaining what you have done and the outcomes and the honesty displayed.  Not everything is going to be perfect based on pre-existing conditions.  R.H.

See more testimonials at our website www.yellowvan.com/Testimonials.html.  

IICRC - Color Repair - Kearney and Grand Island, Nebraska

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is proud to announce that Mike Huhman and Michael Keiter of Yellow Van Cleaning & Restoration in Kearney and Grand Island recently have qualified by education and examination as technicians certified in Color Repair.  These students have spent a great deal of time training to reach this level of certification.  Currently, Yellow Van holds 80 certifications among 12 employees.   

The IICRC is a nonprofit certifying and standard-setting organization dedicated to raising industry standards through technical proficiency.  By administering a strict process of certification, The IICRC provides a means by which consumers can receive the highest quality of service from trained, knowledgeable, and professional technicians.

Yellow Van Cleaning & Restoration is now in its 31^st year of business providing Residential and Commercial cleaning, as well as 24 hour emergency water cleanup, to Central Nebraska with certifications in Carpet, Upholstery, Fire & Water Damage Restoration, Janitorial, and Stone & Marble Cleaning.  Yellow Van is a member of the Better Business Bureau, Kearney, Grand Island, and Hastings Chambers of Commerce.  They can be reached at 1-800-828-3969 for 24 hour Emergency Response Services, online at www.yellowvan.com, or at their main location – 206 East 6^th Street in Kearney.

Mike and Michael join the ranks of the true professionals within the cleaning, restoration, and inspection industry.  The IICRC welcomes their participation and continuing education.

Michael Keiter (left), Mike Huhman (right)

Oriental Rug Restorative Cleaning - Part 5

What can I do to care for my rug?


We offer a free bottle of professional carpet spot-out to our clients for the 'oops' moments in life.  It's refillable for life - just bring the empty bottle to our office at 206 E 6th Street in Kearney, and we will exchange is for a new bottle.  The Spot Out is a neutral spotter, so it will not harm fabrics.  Even so, we recommend testing the product on an inconspicuous area first.  

It is also helpful to have a spotting kit on hand for the in-between times to take care of minor spills.  Spotting kits can be extensive (see picture below) to cover any spot or spill, or simple, such as our spot-out bottle for most general issues.  It is also important to blot (not rub) the area so that you are not grinding the spot deeper into the fabric or spreading it to surrounding fibers.  Visit our online store (our store number is 1978) or stop in at our Kearney office to see our line of home care products, specially designed to keep homes clean between professional cleaning visits.      

Finally, if the problem is beyond your ability, call for professional help.  Yellow Van Cleaning & Restoration is available to assist with any cleaning problem.  We are happy to lend our expertise during a free cleaning estimate.  We also recommend that for any delicate fabric, such as silk, chintz, seagrass, bamboo, sisal, or Navahol rugs, that you work with a professional cleaner.  These fabrics require more care in cleaning.  

Oriental Rug Restorative Cleaning - Part 4b

The Cleaning Process - cont'd

How do you clean oriental rugs?

As we’ve mentioned, maintenance is important for the life and value of your oriental rug.  The cleaning process typically has 4 steps: 1) Vacuum 2) Soil removal 3) Wash 4) Specialty Services.

3.  Washing the rug - Each rug is evaluated to determine when it is appropriate to submerse (or wash) the rug.  Submersion cleaning is a more thorough cleaning option, but it may not be the best choice for certain fabrics.  Certain materials shrink when wet, so that needs to be taken into consideration.  Also, some dyes are susceptible to 'bleeding', which means the rug needs to be tested or have a "dye-lock" applied to prevent colors from running.  A cleaning solution is applied to the rug, and worked into the fibers, then water is used to flush out the dirt, leaving the fibers with a deep clean.

4.  Specialty services might include urine removal, fabric protection application, or repair.  If the rug has a severe odor or has urine in it, it will require additional treatments and possibly multiple washings to improve.  We can advise the best treatment and suggest what options are available so you can make the best choice for your rug and your budget.  Fabric protection can be applied after cleaning to deter soils and keep the rug looking its best!  This is especially useful for rugs that will have high traffic or be exposed to food and other soils.  We can contract with specialized rug companies who perform repairs on valuable and irreplaceable rugs.   

Oriental Rug Restorative Cleaning - Part 4a

The Cleaning Process

How do you clean oriental rugs?

As we’ve mentioned, maintenance is important for the life and value of your oriental rug.  The cleaning process typically has 4 steps: 1) Vacuum 2) Soil removal 3) Wash 4) Specialty Services.

1.  Vacuuming with a high quality HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Arresting) filter is an important first step.  A HEPA-filtered vacuum means that you are not putting dirt back into the air when you vacuum.  At Yellow Van we use Windsor commercial-grade vacuums—if you’re interested in trying one for your home, give us a call at 800-828-3969.

2.  Soil removal has evolved over the years.  Perhaps your Grandma used to take rugs outside and beat them.  That was one way of removing the loose soils.  Today, we have the technology to do a similar process without the dust cloud.  A Rug Badger uses harmonic vibrations to remove the dirt without causing unnecessary abrasion to your rug.  Soil is likely to be found deep in the fibers of the rug.     

Yellow Van video!

Check out our newest Yellow Van video!

Maintenance Challenges - Part 3

Busy homes with people and pets.
The typical family runs on a tight schedule these days with sports activities, lessons, school, meetings, homework, and other commitments.  This means lots of traffic in our homes!  Also, 62% of homes in the U.S. have pets, which adds to the maintenance demands.  Then add in the day-to-day items of spilled food, tracked-in dirt and grime, and the occasional water intrusion, and you have a floor that needs some regular care!

My flooring doesn’t ‘look’ dirty, why should I clean?

High quality rugs do a great job of hiding dirt; that’s part of why they are so popular!  The carpet in a home is the biggest filter for the air you breathe—so imagine how much more filtering has to happen in a home that does not have wall-to-wall carpeting.  Regular cleaning removes the dirt trapped between fibers, which, over time, will damage the rug if it is not maintained.