Ask Alec | Honest Carpet, Upholstery & Fine Rug Advice Since 1970
Practical Guidance From 56 Years of Real Experience
My name is Alec Houle, and I founded Alec’s Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning in 1970. For 56 years, I have worked with carpets, upholstery, Oriental rugs, fine area rugs, leather, and outdoor cushions. Over that time, I have learned that the right cleaning method is not always the same for every home, fabric, rug, or cleaning problem.
Homeowners often have important questions before deciding whether professional cleaning is needed. They may be concerned about a stain that will not come out, carpet that seems to get dirty again shortly after cleaning, a wool carpet or delicate fabric that could be damaged, persistent pet odors, a valuable Oriental rug, or whether fabric protection is really worthwhile.
Ask Alec is where I share straightforward, experience-based answers to those questions.
My goal is to help you understand the condition of your carpets, furniture, rugs, and other textiles so you can make informed decisions about cleaning, maintenance, protection, and replacement.
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Ask Alec: Carpet Cleaning & Care
Questions about carpet cleaning, maintenance, stains, appearance, drying, equipment, and the many problems homeowners encounter with carpet.
Carpet Cleaning, Maintenance & Longevity
Ask Alec: Can Wall-to-Wall Carpet Really Last 40 Years?
Ask Alec: What Really Happens When Your Carpet or Upholstery Is Professionally Cleaned?
Ask Alec: What Should I Do During the First 24–48 Hours After Carpet or Upholstery Cleaning?
Ask Alec: Why Waiting Until Your Carpet Looks Dirty Is a Costly Mistake
Ask Alec: What Should I Do Before the Carpet Cleaner Arrives?
Ask Alec: Is Vacuuming Really Just About Appearance?
Ask Alec: How Often Should Carpets Be Professionally Cleaned?
Ask Alec: Why does my carpet feel stiff after it has been professionally cleaned?
Ask Alec: Does Professional Carpet Cleaning Wear Out Carpet?
Ask Alec: Can You Get Furniture Dents Out of Carpets?
Ask Alec: How Do You Know If You’re Hiring the Right Carpet Cleaner?
Ask Alec: Is Carpet & Upholstery Protector Really Worth It?
Ask Alec: What Does More Than 60 Years of Experience Mean for You?
Carpet Problems & Appearance
Ask Alec: What Causes Black Lines Where Carpet Meets the Wall?
Ask Alec: Why Does My Carpet Get Dirty Again So Quickly After It’s Cleaned?
Ask Alec: Why Does Carpet Sometimes Turn Brown After Cleaning?
Ask Alec: Why Does Carpet Turn Yellow Under Sofas and Upholstered Furniture?
Carpet Stains, Spots & Odors
Ask Alec: Why Does Every Carpet Stain Need a Different Treatment?
Ask Alec: Can Professional Carpet Cleaning Remove Old Stains?
Ask Alec: Why Won’t Some Carpet Stains Come Out After Cleaning?
Ask Alec: Is There Really a One-Size-Fits-All Solution for Removing Stains?
Ask Alec: Can You Really Get Rid of Pet Odors Permanently, or Do They Just Come Back?
Ask Alec: The Mystery of the Cat Urine I Couldn’t See
Ask Alec: Why Does Carpet or Upholstery Smell Different When It Gets Wet?
Ask Alec: Why Does My Carpet Smell Worse After It Has Been Cleaned?
Ask Alec: What Should You Do When You Spill Red Wine on Carpet, Rugs or Upholstery?
Ask Alec: Can DIY Stain Removers Make a Carpet Problem Worse?
Ask Alec: The Professional Tricks Behind Removing Stubborn Carpet Stains
Carpet Cleaning Methods, Equipment & Chemistry
Ask Alec: Can Professional Carpet Cleaning Actually Damage Your Carpet?
Ask Alec: Can Steam Cleaning Damage Hardwood Floors or Furniture?
Ask Alec: Why the Way a Carpet Cleaning Wand Is Used Matters More Than You Think
Ask Alec: The 5 Factors That Determine the Results of Professional Carpet Cleaning
Ask Alec: Can Too Much Cleaning Product Leave Residue in Carpet or Upholstery?
Ask Alec: Does a Bigger Carpet Cleaning Machine Mean a Better Cleaning?
Ask Alec: Is “Green” or Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning Actually Effective?
Ask Alec: The Hidden Risks of Cleaning Wool, Silk and Other Natural Fiber Carpets
Ask Alec: Is It Better to Rent a Carpet Cleaning Machine or Hire a Professional?
Carpet Selection & Replacement
Ask Alec: What Type of Carpet Should I Buy for My Home?
Ask Alec: When Should You Replace Your Carpet?
Ask Alec: What Is the Best Carpet or Rug to Buy?
Carpet Cleaning Stories & Real-World Experiences
Ask Alec: Two Carpet-Cleaning Moments That Made Me Say, “Oh My!”
Ask Alec: Upholstery & Fabric Care
Questions about upholstery cleaning, fabric care, cleaning codes, stains, appearance problems, odors, furniture maintenance, and other upholstery concerns.
Upholstery Cleaning, Care & Maintenance
Ask Alec: Can You Trust the Cleaning Codes on Your Upholstery?
Ask Alec: Can Pet Urine Be Removed From a Sofa or Upholstered Chair?
Ask Alec: Did My Cleaning Shrink Your Cushions?
Ask Alec: How Often Should Upholstery Be Professionally Cleaned?
Ask Alec: How to Clean a Fabric Sofa Without Ruining Your Upholstery
Ask Alec: Every Upholstery Problem Has a Story
Ask Alec: Can You Make a Worn Leather Chair Look Like New Again?
Ask Alec: Why Does My Sofa Have Dark Spots on the Arms and Headrest?
Ask Alec: Why Did Cleaning a Small Spot Leave a Dark Ring on My Upholstery
Ask Alec: Why Did Cleaning Leave Water Marks or Rings on My Upholstery?
Ask Alec: Why I Prefer Wet Cleaning for Upholstery
Ask Alec: How Do You Clean Velvet Upholstery Without Leaving Lines or Crushing Marks?
Ask Alec: Why Is My Upholstery Fabric Pilling, Fuzzy, or Looking Worn?
Upholstery Stains, Discoloration & Fabric Problems
Ask Alec: How Do You Remove Grease, Oil, or Hair-Product Stains From Upholstery?
Ask Alec: Area Rugs & Oriental Rugs
Questions about Oriental rugs, fine area rugs, rug cleaning, washing, dusting, fiber care, drying, repairs, and problems that can occur before, during, or after cleaning.
Area Rug & Oriental Rug Cleaning, Care & Maintenance
Ask Alec: Does Every Oriental Rug Really Need a Bath?
Ask Alec: Why Hand-Knotted and Oriental Rugs Are Sometimes Dusted Before Washing
Ask Alec: Why Can’t Every Area Rug Be Cleaned in the Home?
Area Rug Problems & Appearance
Ask Alec: Why Is My Area Rug Waving or Buckling After Cleaning?
Ask Alec: What Should You Know About an Area Rug Before You Buy It?
Carpet, Rug & Upholstery Appearance and Protection
Ask Alec: Can Sunlight Damage Area Rugs, Upholstery, and Carpet?
Ask Alec: Outdoor Cushion Cleaning & Care
Questions about outdoor cushion cleaning, mold, mildew, algae, fabric care, prevention, pressure washing, and protecting outdoor cushions from the elements.
Outdoor Cushion Cleaning, Care & Maintenance
Ask Alec: Is an Ounce of Prevention Worth a Pound of Cure When It Comes to Outdoor Cushions?
Ask Alec: Are All Outdoor Cushions Really the Same?
Ask Alec: How Should You Store Outdoor Cushions for the Winter?
Outdoor Cushion Cleaning Methods & Mistakes
Ask Alec: Before You Grab the Garden Hose, Pressure Washer or Bleach