We’ve all heard the horror stories from friends and family members; perhaps you have even been a witness to the destruction in your own home. When it happens, we find ourselves trying to cover the evidence with a throw rug or a slipcover, perhaps even going so far as to shut the door— and our eyes—to the mess.

This may sound like a scene from a Hollywood movie, but in reality it is a common occurrence among homeowners, renters, offices, and businesses. It is difficult to erase the image of a spilled glass of red wine on a white carpet, muddy paw prints on a sofa, or water damage in a newly refurbished basement. Before taking action yourself, you may want to give Actually Clean a call.

Owned by Jeff Spies, Actually Clean is a full-service residential and commercial cleaning company that specializes in carpet, furniture, tile, and grout cleaning, as well as damage from mold and water. Actually Clean was launched three years ago in Davenport, and serves residential and commercial businesses within a 45-mile radius of the Quad Cities area.
Actually Clean was founded by Jason Bailey in Cedar Rapids. “I wanted a career change,” recalls Jeff, “and I was able to get started with Actually Clean.” Jason took Jeff under his wing and mentored him in the carpet cleaning industry. “What started out as a job is now my passion,” Jeff shares.

After quickly immersing himself in the business, Jeff started thinking about expanding the company into eastern Iowa. “My vision was to come to the Quad Cities area and establish a franchise here,” shares Jeff. For two-and-a-half years, Jeff commuted between Cedar Rapids and Davenport, investing his time and talents in both businesses before taking ownership of his current company. “I love what I do,” says Jeff. “It’s rewarding to me to see my customers so happy with our services.”

Carpet cleaning has certainly come a long way from the methods used a century or two ago. Back in the 1800s, beef’s gall, prepared from the bile from a cow’s gallbladder, was considered an important ingredient for cleaning carpet stains. Even potter’s clay, mixed as a paste and applied with a knife, was used as a cleaning agent. Nowadays, “What makes Actually Clean unique among the myriad of carpet cleaning companies in the Quad Cities area,” according to Jeff, “is that we are the only carpet cleaning business in our area to guarantee pet odor removal.”

While the independent homeowner might use a wide variety of cleansing agents such as vinegar, peroxide, Windex, toothpaste, and water to try to eliminate pet stains, Jeff says that the powerful equipment used by Actually Clean will be much more effective. Jeff notes that both stains and odors will be eliminated, resulting in carpet that is fresh and clean. Jeff states that another unique element about Actually Clean is that the company makes all of its own cleaning solutions. “Because each business and residence may have different cleaning needs, we can customize our solutions tailored to the specific needs of our clients. We use the most powerful carpet cleaning equipment there is. Our truck is eight times more forceful than others that you might see used by other businesses.”

Actually Clean employs five highly skilled workers, who go through pre-employment background checks and drug screening, Jeff says, and he makes certain that his team undergoes a thorough and lengthy training process lasting between six and 12 months. Jeff says this training is more extensive than many other carpet cleaning businesses offer. This ensures that the services provided by Actually Clean employees adhere to Jeff’s criterion of quality and excellence on the job. Each service call to a home or business is done in pairs with a foreman and an assistant. Jeff notes that depending on the extent of the service call, the team on average completes the job in one to two hours.

Carpet cleaning plays an important role in improving the quality of the air within a home or business. One of the significant enemies of clean air in a household is the dust mite, Jeff says. The dust mite is the main cause of asthma worldwide. An important step in limiting its number is regular carpet cleaning, which may help to alleviate further complications with respiratory issues. Unlike smooth floor surfaces that allow dust and other allergens to re-circulate into the breathing zone, properly maintained carpet actually contributes to improved air quality, Jeff states. Regular cleaning maintains the beauty and longevity of the carpet, while reducing the risk of airborne particles.

It is also important not to overlook tile and grout cleaning. This is especially prevalent in the Quad Cities area, as the potential of flooding from the Mississippi River can affect homes in its proximity. When water damage occurs, whether by flooding or from a leaky pipe, mold can set in and also cause odors, discoloration, and damage to the structure, Jeff shares. Rather than spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to remodel, Actually Clean can effectively restore the condition of your tile, he adds.

Actually Clean has received the Gold Seal of Approval from the Carpet and Rug Institute. This recognition assures customers that Actually Clean maintains the highest standards in effective carpet cleaning solutions and equipment. The company’s employees clean the carpet right the first time and protect a home or facility’s carpet investment, Jeff says. He adds that Actually Clean assures clients of a job well done. In fact, he guarantees that the customer will not see reappearing spots. “It’s not how hard you work—it’s the results,” emphasizes Jeff. “Even if the customer is satisfied with our services, if the job is not up to my specifications we will redo the work.” Jeff says he treats people the way he wants to be treated, and he strives to do the right thing. “It’s nice to see the smiles on the faces of our clients,” he says.

No matter the size of your cleaning needs, Actually Clean is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will respond to your concerns. “We are here at the convenience of our customers,” assures Jeff. To schedule an appointment, call Jeff at 563-355-0041 or e-mail him at qcactuallyclean@live.com. Jeff says that your home or business is guaranteed to be cleaned with professional service and courtesy. “We are very demanding of our employees,” stresses Jeff. “We want to make sure the job is done right the first time.”

Sources for this story included: carpet-rug.org, www.burrows.com,www.stretcher.com, and www.ultimateaircleaner.com.