CARPET CLEANING
I’m grateful for the opportunity to provide you with information about carpet cleaning and I hope I can help you choose a superior carpet cleaning service. I didn’t know much about it before I started this business and was taken by the old “bait and switch” scam. I don’t want that to happen to you.
Throughout my career I’ve learned that the subject of cleaning carpet cleaning can be confusing. In fact, people have so many misconceptions about cleaning carpets, I’ve decided to offer important consumer education information to help you make an informed decision when selecting a carpet cleaning company. I’m going to share with you 5 costly misconceptions about cleaning carpets.
THE 5 MISCONCEPTIONS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Misconception #1: You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet.
NO! Dirt is an abrasive – like sandpaper. Every time you step on the carpet you grind dirt into your carpet fibers. This cuts your carpet just as if you had used a knife, causing it to wear out faster. Oily soils along with dry soils build up on the carpet fibers when not cleaned regularly. This scratchy dirt causes the carpet to mat and wear down. A dirty carpet will not last nearly as long as a clean carpet. While vacuuming helps, it’s simply not enough. The longer you wait to clean your carpet, the more damage you do to it and the faster it wears our. We all know how much new carpet can cost.
Misconception #2: The only reason to clean carpet is to get the dirt out.
NOPE! As you probably know, outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, car exhaust, and a host of other things we don’t even want to think about. You carry this outdoor pollution into your home in your hair, on you skin, clothing and shoes. And not surprisingly, all these pollutants wind up….you guessed it…in your carpet! This is because your carpet acts as a filter for non-circulating air in your home. So in addition to getting rid of the soil and stains, another important reason to clean your carpet regularly is to get rid of the contaminants and allergy causing dust mites in your carpet. Cleaning your carpet improves the indoor quality which protects your family’s health.
Misconception #3: One carpet cleaning method is as good as another.
Not True! You can choose from two primary methods; hot water extraction (steam cleaning) or dry cleaning. The method of cleaning used on your carpet has a great deal to do with how clean your carpet gets (how much dirt and residue is pulled out), how healthy for your family your carpet is and how long your carpet ultimately lasts.
These are the two basic methods used to clean your carpet.
- Method 1: Dry Cleaning
The dry cleaning method consists of the use of dry powders or foams. This method’s biggest benefit is that your carpet never gets wet so it doesn’t need time to dry. This is also its biggest drawback. This method tends to leave quite a lot of dirt and other pollutants behind because your carpet is not rinsed in any way. It would be a lot like washing your dishes with a dry chemical powder and then “rinsing” them by vac-uuming them. - Method 2: Hot Water Extraction
Hot water extraction is the best, most effective way of cleaning carpets. The world’s largest manufacturer of carpeting, Shaw Industries, recommends the hot water extraction method as the preferred method of carpet cleaning. In this method high pressure is used to force a hot water cleaning solution into your carpet. Then this solution is sucked back out effectively pulling dirt and pollutants from your carpet. The main reason this method works better is that the water is heated to a high temperature that easily breaks up the dirt, pollens, pollutants and bacteria in your carpet. The next step involves using high powered suction to draw or extract this grime from every part of your carpet. Hot water extraction performed by trained technicians with a truck mounted unit is like a deep cleaning and massage for your carpet.
Hot water extraction can be performed by a company using either a truck mounted extraction unit or a portable unit. A truck mounted unit is operated from a truck parked in your driveway with hoses running into your home. A portable unit is a small, self contained unit that is brought into your home. Shaw Industries recommends the truck mounted method because of the ability of the unit to reach higher water temperatures and its greater suction power for remov-ing dirt and pollutants. The portable unit should only be used in situations where a truck mounted unit cannot be used. At JNR Cleaning Services we use truck mounted extraction, except in the rare instances when only a portable unit can be used.
Misconception #4: The company that offers the lowest price is the company you should hire.
Maybe, but not always.
There are two important points to consider.
- First: The price you see advertised may not be for the services you want. If you want to remove soil and stains, are concerned about using a non-toxic solution, want the pollutants removed and want your carpet to stay clean longer, then you need to select a company that uses the hot water extraction method to clean your carpet.
- Second: The price you see advertised may not be the price you pay. Many homeowners have learned the hard way that the low price they saw advertised was not the amount they were charged. Just like I learned the hard way. If you’ve ever hired a carpet cleaner, you too, may have been the victim of false or misleading advertising. Some carpet cleaners offer a ridiculously low price per room or whole house. Then they pressure you into paying a lot more once they’re inside your house. This is called “Bait and Switch”, and is against the law, as you may have seen on the television program 20/20.
The carpet cleaning industry has its share of bad apples and carpet cleaning rip-offs. They cast a bad light on ethical professionals, who work hard to earn your trust and respect. This is why I have dedicated my business to educating consumers. The only way you can make an informed decision is to have all the facts you need.
Misconception #5: Any honest carpet cleaning company should be able to give you an exact price over the phone.
We wish this were true, but it isn’t. Honest, reputable carpet cleaning companies usually price carpet cleaning by the square foot. So if you’d like us to tell you the exact cost of cleaning your carpet, we need to know the exact number of square feet you want cleaned. To get an accurate count, we measure all rooms. Though we’d love to give you an exact quote over the phone, we have to consider all aspects when quoting a price. Carpet that hasn’t been cleaned for ten years, obviously will take longer to clean than carpet that was cleaned 6 months ago. The type of carpet along with the amount of furniture items we have to move is considered. If we are required to move furniture, the quote must include that labor. But if you move your furniture and small items off the floor, you’ll save money. Every quote is different, which is shy we offer a FREE carpet evaluation and a written quote so there will be no surprises later.
CARPET CLEANING RECOMMENDATIONS
If you’re thinking about having your carpets cleaned, I offer these four recommendations:
- First Recommendation: Make a Commitment.
Make a commitment to yourself to get your carpets cleaned. The longer they remain dirty, the sooner they’ll wear out. And the longer you have to breathe all the pollutants and those creepy dust mites that live in your carpet. - Second Recommendation: List Your Objectives.
Not only do you want to remove the soil and contaminants, but I’m sure you want to work with an honest, reputable company. One who offers a 100% money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied. Or are you willing to risk working with the company that offers you the lowest price, knowing that company might not care about your carpet like I do, or be in business tomorrow. - Third Recommendation: Ask questions.
The way you learn about a company, is to ask questions. Find out what type of equipment they use to clean the carpet. Ask them how often they recommend cleaning your carpet. Are they members of any trade organizations or the Better Business Bureau? Do they offer a money back guarantee? And most important, are they licensed, IIRC certified and insured? - Fourth Recommendation: Get a Specific Quotation.
Once you’re satisfied that you’re working with an honest, competent professional, invite them into your home. Ask for a specific quotation in writing. A written quotation gives you the assurance you know exactly what your job will cost, with no surprises after the service is done. By following these recommendations, you’ll gain all the information you need to make an informed decision. If you want a quick, cheap carpet cleaning job, many companies in the Pennysaver can help you. Or you can rent a shampooer and at your local grocery store, and do the job yourself. Renting a shampooer is certainly less expensive than hiring a professional. Although it may be cheaper, you must think about the fact that you are using your precious time and energy, asking for unnecessary aching muscles, and risking your family’s health. Not to mention the fact that it will have to be done again sooner.
