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Monday, September 11, 2017

Remembering Those We Lost on 9/11/2001


I want to take a moment to pause and reflect on that tragic day that changed our lives forever, and to honor those we lost on 9/11/2001.

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On the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, I want to pause for a moment to reflect and the day that changed our lives forever.

I also want to take some time to remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day. My thoughts and prayers are with their families, the survivors, and the first responders who rushed in to help.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, the survivors, and the first responders today.

The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were the deadliest terror attacks on U.S. soil. 2,977 people died in the attacks, and our community was hit hard by the loss of nine souls from Lower Makefield and 18 souls from Bucks County.

If you are looking for more ways to observe the 16th anniversary, you can go to the Garden of Reflection in Lower Makefield, which is the official Pennsylvania memorial to victims of the 9/11 attacks. There will be a few special events there for the 16th anniversary.

For more information on the Garden of Reflection, click here.

At 8:30 in the morning, a remembrance ceremony will mark the chronological events of that tragic day to remember and honor those we lost with music and prayer.

At 7:00 p.m., there will be a candlelight service. As we walk forward together, we work together.

The Garden of Reflection is located at 1950 Woodside Road in Lower Makefield, Pennsylvania. If you are using GPS, you may need to enter “Morrisville,” Yardley,” or “Newtown” to get there.

There is also the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. You can purchase tickets to attend up to six months in advance.

Again, my thoughts and prayers are with the survivors, victims, first responders, and their families. Thank you for taking a moment out of your day to pause and reflect with me.

Friday, September 1, 2017

Does Carpet Cleaning Increase or Decrease My Home Value?


Floors require a lot of maintenance if they’re going to last. Today, I’ve brought on an expert, Marty Hackett of Marty’s Carpet Cleaning, to give me the details on how to properly care for a home’s flooring.

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Looking for more information? Check out the carpet and rug institute.

Want set up a time with Marty? Click here 

Today I’m joined by two special guests: Marty Hackett of Marty’s Carpet Cleaning and my dog Oliver. Both of these guests have a lot to do with today’s subject, which is carpet cleaning.

Oliver is actually one of the major reasons I see Marty as often as I do. Just because I love my pet doesn’t mean I love the messes he can make. However, there are many other factors that can contribute to a dirty carpet as well.

Marty started in this business 31 years ago and has loved it ever since. Throughout those years, he has gained a lot of knowledge and experience about floor and carpet cleaning. This is exactly why I can always trust he will do a good job for me and my clients.

I truly believe that Marty is a step above his competitors. When I asked him what he thinks sets his business apart, he told me he credits his success to conscientiousness and keeping up to date on the latest technology. 



Maintaining your floors like you would anything else is essential.


Updates in technology have really made a difference in how carpet is cleaned. Years ago, there was a shampooing method that left behind a lot of soapy residues. Ironically, this meant that carpets actually got dirty more quickly after they had been cleaned. The extraction method that Marty and most other carpet cleaners use today is much more efficient.

Most carpet installation places won’t give you your warranty unless you ask for it. As a result, many people are confused about exactly how often they need their carpet cleaned. Generally, you should clean your carpet around every 16 to 24 months.

This time frame will give you the best performance from your carpet. Between those professional cleanings, people can maintain their carpets by doing one simple thing: vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Carpets wear because of friction, and friction is increased when a lot of dust is trapped between your carpet’s fibers.

A well-maintained carpet can last for years and years. According to Marty, people should get sick of the style or color of their carpets before they ever have to replace them for utilitarian purposes. The quality of the carpet matters too. A higher quality carpet is going to give you the most use, overall.

But no matter how well you take care of your carpet, life happens. So what can be done about removing stains? Despite the impulse to do so, rubbing and scrubbing at a fresh spill or stain is the worst thing you can do.

Marty suggests that you always use a white, cotton towel in a dabbing motion to soak up as much of the stain as you can. Blotting a stain with warm water is another good thing to try. If that doesn’t work, it’s also acceptable to add a very small amount of dish soap or laundry detergent, too.

The problem with using a cleaning chemical is that it can actually set the fibers and make the stain difficult for even someone like Marty to remove. Marty has a good solution to almost any stain but says the trickiest one is red wine.

However, even that can be removed with the right knowledge. All it takes is some cheap white wine to dilute the red wine stain while it’s still fresh. Once you’ve done this, blot the stain and it should lift right up.

But Marty and his business don’t only clean carpets. “If you walk on it, we clean it,” he says. It was primarily when hardwood and stone flooring came back into style that Marty began working more often with those kinds of surfaces.

If you walk on it, Marty can clean it.


Flooring is one of the most expensive things you can put into a home, so maintaining it like you would anything else is absolutely essential.

If you’d like to contact Marty or learn more about his business, you can visit the Marty’s Carpet Cleaning Facebook page, visit www.martyscarpetcleaning.com, or call him at (215) 968-8878.

If you have any other questions or would like more information on carpet cleaning, click here or feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.