Although I've lived in my apartment for less than two years, it recently needed a good cleaning. I entertain so frequently that the rug, upholstered furniture, and pillows showed signs of the many fun-filled parties and events.
I decided to call in some professional help.
Founded in 1886, Restoration by Costikyan is a leader in cleaning and carpet restoration. The Costikyans have maintained an incredible level of quality for well over 100 years -- offering a wide range of services including cleaning, restoring, installation, appraising, and custom-rug design.
I hired the Costikyans to clean my furniture and carpets and I cannot give them enough praise for the amazing work they did in my apartment. I had stains galore and now there is no trace of any previous spills or mishaps.
I was so impressed with every aspect of the company's work. They were quick, fastidious, pleasant, and conscientious.
It was an absolute pleasure to spend my morning with Mr. Costikyan and his team and to learn first hand what it is that makes them the best in the business.
1 From here, my living room looks quite crisp and clean. However, upon closer inspection, you can see all of the work that needs to be done.
2 My pillows show signs of some champagne spills.
3 Here's another unfortunate stain.
4 Oops.
5 Let's start by looking at my pillows...
6 Silk is beautiful but quite risky for a living room seating area. Time is of the essence when treating silk fabric stains: After applying the cleaning solution, dry quickly and make sure there is no adverse reaction.
7 I love my dining room chairs, but the velvet requires maintenance.
8 Here's a mark on one of my living room side chairs.
9 There are a couple more on the front of the arm.
10 Another small subtle stain on the seat.
11 The ribs on the fabric on my living room sofa disguise a lot. But if you look at it from the certain angle, you can see all of the marks.
12 Now onto my carpets. I pray they can get out this stain.
13 Remember this stain on my bedroom carpet?
14 This stain is a result of a vase leaking on the top of my armoire.
15 I called in the professionals -- Costikyan to the rescue!
16 Both the owner Phillip Costikyan and Zavar Megeredichian (Head Conservator) came to personally make sure everything was done just right.
17 A member of the crew.
18 They set up a staging area in my hall and got to work.
19 They came well equipped with all the right tools.
20 Unloading the big cleaning guns.
21 A serious looking vacuum.
22 That looks like it pick up some severe spills.
23 I kind of love seeing all of my pillows lined up like this. They are all waiting to be cleaned.
24 Everything had to be moved so that they could get to individual spots.
25 Here is Cesar hard at work.
26 Zavar inspects each pillow.
27 The pillows are silk velvet so special dry-cleaning solvent is applied to remove the stains.
28 Ready to receive its spot treatment.
29 The cleaner is always applied to the rag -- not the pillow itself.
30 Gently dabbing the stains.
31 A special industrial blow dryer is used to dry the fabric after the solvent has been applied so that no damage occurs.
32 The Costikyan crew were so neat and careful and made sure to paper the floors.
33 Here is Phillip inspecting the work.
34 Moving the long vacuum.
35 This is a hand extraction tool which is a small steam cleaner designed for upholstery. My sofa has a cotton linen fabric so the crew used a water-based cleaner.
36 Stains are steamed out and then quickly dried.
37 It looks like a blow dryer.
38 You can see all of the water spots were stains once were.
39 Working on the seat area.
40 Almost dry!
41 After the initial drying, they hand blot any last damp areas.
42 Don't forget the seat cushions.
43 Dirt is there -- even if you don't immediately see it!
44 Spraying some more.
45 The proof of past stains.
46 Finishing up in the bedroom. I was told my wool carpet stains are easiest to clean because the fiber is amenable to a stronger detergent.
They have locations in NY, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Newport and Florida
You can contact them directly at 800-247-7847 or go to Costikyan.com or go to their website to purchase your own spot & stain removal kit.
Join me on my radio show today when I welcome Philip Costikyan as my special guest. We will be talking all about caring and cleaning for your upholstery and rugs. You can listen at Home Design on Martha Stewart Living Radio, Sirius 112 XM 157 from 4 to 5 P.M. EST.
And stay tuned for my "after" rug and furniture pictures.
Kevin Sharkey 
From: Rowaida Flayhan | 4/13/11 at 1:45 pm
Wow they did a wonderful job it looks like a full busy day enjoyed the photos thank you for sharing. I wish you could post the link of your radio show to listen to it.
Thank you
From: Shelley (EvenAndy) | 4/13/11 at 3:15 pm
I definitely need to get my furniture and rugs cleaned. With two little ones, it is hard to keep things from getting stained.
From: ROS | 4/13/11 at 9:19 pm
Can't wait to see the after pictures! I love having carpet cleaners come to freshen up fabrics and carpets!
From: custom cabinets tampa | 5/16/11 at 2:22 pm
Excellent use of the designs in the house you have provided. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.
From: Linda | 7/13/11 at 6:26 pm
Hello Kevin,
I really enjoy your show and just heard the carpet care segment...so informative! I just purchased the Martha Stewart Clean brand carpet stain remover and works great. No need to have the entire carpet cleaned now...just the few stains in the hall.
Your apartment is fab!
Keep inspiring us!
Linda
West Hollywood, Ca.
From: Rug cleaning | 4/27/12 at 8:33 pm
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