VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Mike Harrison]

Has anyone ever hired a company to steam-clean carpeting in their studio/control room space?

I'm sure these folks handle regular furniture very well, but I have two desks – one is about six feet long with a second piece containing some shelves that sits on top of the desk; and the other is a corner-desk made for video editing, with a monitor riser and rack space (thank goodness none of the rack spaces are currently filled) – and there's also a small rack cabinet. All of these pieces are made of very solid stuff and are quite heavy, and the two desks would have to be taken apart to some degree to get them out of the room.

Then, of course, they'd have to sit someplace outside the room until the carpet was dry before being hauled back in and reassembled. And this doesn't count the half-dozen power strips and various cabling on the floor.

Any suggestions as to how I might make this undertaking a bit easier?

Many thanks!
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

[Bish]

I'd be more than tempted to eschew the steam cleaning altogether. I would not trust a cleaning contractor within spitting distance of my kit... Assuming that the carpet is really grubby and needs a deep-clean, I'd go old-school and get down on my hands and knees with a carpet brush and cleaning stuff.

The only way I'd use them is if I stripped the room down myself... or at least of anything other than a regular item. It may be worth noting that the last time I had steam-cleaning done, they cleaned one area, then moved furniture to the clean spot with foam blocks underneath the legs. I was having a basement done, and stripping out all the furniture was not practical at all... their little pink foam block solution seemed to be their regular approach and it was no problem.
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

[Lee Gordon]

You could get the cleaning crew from the last radio station you worked at. No, wait. Every cleaning crew I've ever seen at a radio station (working for trade rather than cash, of course) didn't so much remove the dirt as just move it around.
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Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

[vkuehn]

How large is your studio/control room? Compared to the cost of the "steam cleaner"... what would be the cost of going to one of the carpet liquidation places and just buy new carpet?

I'm the ultimate penny pincher. I go down to the supermarket and rent the do-it-yourself carpet cleaning machine.

[heyguido]

Mike....

Milk crates and a handful of small plywood scraps (for legs) to raise the key pieces of the infrastructure above the carpet while it dries properly....

And a good friend on the other side when you raise them.

And a couple or 3 commercial fans.

From another life (23rd?) doing restorations.
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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

[Diane Maggipinto]

i think when you hire a carpet cleaning company, it expect that you move the furniture/kit or whatever might be in the way, or they'll just work around it. (not good).

but i'd suggest renting a cleaner yourself, usually available at a supermarket, or better equipment at a rental joint like the utah-based diamond rental (whatever may be the equivalent in your hood).

then spray the space with fabric softener after it's dried and let that dry, to reduce static. i haven't tried ANY of this, so caveat emptor.
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sitting at #8, though not as present as I'd like to be. Hello!

www.d3voiceworks.com

[Bruce]

I suggest buying a steam carpet cleaner especially if you have lots of carpets and rugs like we do. We got a smokin' deal on a Bissell at Costco a while back (about $180) and it works great. Shampoo is not horribly expensive. However you'll also likely need a dehumidifier (about the same $) if you're anywhere damp.

With this you can do it where you want, when you want.

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

[Mike Harrison]

Wow... thanks, folks.

I rent this place, so replacing the carpeting is not an option, and it's the reason I have to have professionals clean the carpeting: it's Berber which, according to those in-the-know, can be easily damaged. Even though there's nothing wrong with the vacuum cleaner I own, I had to buy a new one: one I can choose suction-only; without a rotating brush, which can grab the loops of the carpet and unravel it. And because of the tight loops, it tends to hold water, so that's why professionals will know better how to deal with that.

Stanley Steemer's website says they'll move furniture, but they recommend NOT moving things like pianos. So I think I'll see if they'll come over and have a look. Maybe they've tackled similar situations and might have a good solution.

Thanks very much for all your great input. Much appreciated!
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Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.

[vkuehn]

There are "full service carpet cleaners" who will know what to do, and will be willing to do the accessory tasks. I am of the opinion that Stanley Steemer probably fits that category. I never think of them as being the bargain vendor.

For young families needing and entire house cleaned and short on budget, the people with the bold advertising specials are going to be bare-bones and may or may not offer "moving stuff" at an additional charge.

For your circumstances and needs, you are on the right track.