From our weekly issue dated May 7, 2008
Don Shaw and his rig
Don Shaw says that professional, affordable carpet and upholstery cleaning now is available in Illinois Valley.
He suggests avoiding the expense of commuting fees from out-of-town cleaners and to “keep it in the valley” with Don Shaw’s Flying Carpet & Upholstery Care. He and his wife, Sally Clements, an Evergreen Elementary School teacher, have lived in the Cave Junction area for 29 years.
Shaw is licensed, insured and bonded.
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He said that his satisfied customers include Siskiyou Community Health Center, Oregon Caves National Monument, SOFCU Community Credit Union, Eye Care Group, Illinois Valley Real Estate, Tom Housel Dentistry, Sheer Madness Hair Salon, Deer Creek Center and countless loyal residents.
Shaw can be reached at (541) 592-3095 or on his cell phone at (541) 660-9074.
“I personally perform all the work myself and take great pride in my on-time, thorough service,” said Shaw. “I enjoy working with senior citizens and gladly offer discounts for them, as well as for empty houses.”
For 18 years, Shaw’s West Coast Polishing, a successful auto and boat detailing business, was his specialty. He spent winter months plying his trade in Florida, working on yachts. The long “commute” between the East and West coasts was tiring and kept him apart from his wife.
“The time away from home was just too difficult,” he said. “I thought there had to be something I can do to use my expertise here.” He had been cleaning auto interiors, including carpets and upholstery, for years in Florida and Oregon, so it made sense to stay in the valley year-round.
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Shaw started Flying Carpet in the valley four years ago, operating it part of each year. Now he is committed to working year-round in Southwestern Oregon. With a recent major equipment upgrade, residential and commercial clients can expect faster, better professional quality service and personal attention.
A few years ago, Shaw wanted further education in the best techniques and some additional hands-on experience to be competitive. He went to Florida and signed on with an old friend who’d been in the carpet cleaning business for more than 30 years.
Said Shaw, “The practical experience was invaluable. On any given day we’d clean residential carpet, 100-foot yacht interiors, and the carpet and furniture in an office complex. I gained expertise in using effective and safe products and equipment.”
After returning to Cave Junction, Shaw said that he received further training from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), a national organization devoted to cleaning industry standards. Classes were held in Portland and Medford. Through them, Shaw said that he qualified as a certified carpet cleaning technician.
“At the time, I had just purchased my first machine and was already cleaning carpet and upholstery,” he said. “The education I received elevated my skills dramatically.
“The support I get from IICRC and my supplier in Medford is like having an encyclopedia at my fingertips. They are always there for me if I have questions or special problems.”
He describes carpeting and upholstery as major “filters” in our personal environments. Carpet and furniture upholstery act as magnets for allergens, dirt, pet hair and house mites. They need to be cleaned annually, especially for people with allergies.
He adds, “Being able to safely and effectively clean these ‘filters’ for people gives me a good feeling.”
Flying Carpet offers environmentally safe “green” cleaning products made especially for carpet and upholstery. Shaw says that those products, used with his new state-of-the-art, truck-mounted steam extraction unit, provide a thorough cleaning with minimal drying time. Thorough cleaning results in healthier homes and business environments.
Shaw acknowledges that S.W. Oregon residents are particularly interested in environmentally safe products and taking care of their health. He tailors his services to meet those needs.
Watch for the eye-catching Flying Carpet Van floating around the valley, providing affordable, dependable service. On the van there’s a depiction of a flying carpet carrying a man, and he bears a striking resemblance to Don Shaw.
