Six Misconceptions About Carpet Cleaning
Misconception # 1: You should wait as long as possible before cleaning your carpet.
No. Dirt is abrasive - like sandpaper. This cuts your carpet, just as if you had used a knife, causing it to wear out faster. A dirty carpet will not last as long as a clean carpet. And while vacuuming helps -- by itself, it's simply not enough. Then the longer you wait to have your carpet cleaned, the more damage you do to your carpet and the faster it wears out.
Misconception # 2: The only reason to clean your carpet is to get the dirt out.
No. As you probably know, outdoor air contains pollens, fungus, bacteria, air pollution, cigarette smoke, car exhaust -- and hundreds of other chemicals. When you and your family members come into your home, you carry those pollens, bacteria and chemicals in your hair and on your skin, clothing and shoes. Not surprisingly, all those chemicals, pollens and bacteria wind up -- you guessed it -- in your carpet.
Misconception #3: One method of carpet cleaning is as good as another.
No. You can choose from two primary methods: Dry cleaning or hot water extraction.
First, I'll explain dry cleaning. Many people believe that dry cleaning your carpet is like dry cleaning your clothing. This is not true. All carpet cleaning methods use water in one form or another. Here are three methods of dry cleaning carpet.
When a carpet cleaner uses dry foam, he applies shampoo to your carpet, allow it to dry, and then sucks the dried shampoo into a vacuum. This method can leave a residue in your carpet, which is one reason dry foam is not very effective.
The dry-chem method is similar to dry foam. The major difference is that when dry-chem is used, the company sets a large cotton bonnet on your carpet. Using a machine, the bonnet spins from side to side, absorbing the dirt that's in the carpet. After the bonnet is saturated with dirt, another bonnet is applied. Like dry foam, its not very effective.
The dry-compound method spreads an absorbent mixture that looks like wet saw dust all over your carpeting. Then the machine brushes the mixture into the carpet, which in theory causes dirt to absorb into the mixture. When the mixture has dried, a vacuum cleaner sucks the material out of the carpeting. Because the carpet is not rinsed in any way, this method is not very effective.
The second carpet cleaning method is call hot water extraction. This is a fancy way saying that a hot water cleaning solution under high pressure is forced into the carpet and then sucked out of the carpet. This method is also referred to as steam cleaning even though steam is not used.
Shaw Industries, the world's largest carpet manufacturer, recommends hot water extraction and you can choose from two different types: Portable extraction, which is done with a small machine. Or truck mounted extraction which means the large cleaning machine is mounted in a truck or van. This is the method my company uses. We have a portable machine as well as a van mounted large machine.
Misconception #4: Having the right equipment is all a company needs to clean your carpets properly.
Not true. The company may own good equipment, but employees may not know how to use it correctly. This is why it's important that you choose your carpet cleaner carefully.
The best carpet cleaning companies are those that have been certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, Known as the IICRC. A carpet cleaner can not buy this certification. The carpet cleaner must earn the certification through study, experience and successful completion of formal, written examinations. Cleaners who are certified by the IICRC have, in effect, earned a degree in carpet cleaning.
The IICRC provides written credentials to companies it certifies. So before you choose a carpet cleaner, ask to see written proof of the company's IICRC certification.
Misconception #5: The company that offers the lowest price is the company you should hire.
Maybe - - but not always. Here are two important points to consider.
Point #1: The price you see offered may not be for the services you want performed. Before you select a company, decide what you want to accomplish.
Point #2: The price you see advertised may not be the price you pay.
Many homeowners have learned that the low price they saw advertised was not the amount they were charged.
And if you've ever hired a carpet cleaner, you too may have been the victim of false or misleading advertising. You probably learned the hard way that some carpet cleaners offer a cheap price -- usually between $3.95 and $9.95 per room and -- then pressure you into paying a lot more once they get inside your home. Some of them may even break the law by using illegal bait and switch tactics.
Then you'll find other carpet cleaners -- professionals like me who work hard to earn your trust and respect.
Misconception #6 Any honest carpet cleaning company should be able to give you an exact price quote over the phone.
I wish this was true, but it isn't. Consumers often think if they want to clean four rooms and the price is $20 per room, then the price will be $80. But this isn't always true. Some companies may have a minimum charge of $100.
First, honest, reputable carpet cleaning companies usually price carpeting by the square foot. So if you'll like me to tell you the exact cost of cleaning your carpet, I need to know the exact number of square feet that you want cleaned.
So even though I can't give you an exact quote over the phone, here are things to consider when quoting a price. First, the type of carpet, second, the amount of soiling and third, the amount of furniture that needs to be moved.
If you're thinking about having your carpets cleaned, I offer these four recommendations:
Recommendation #1 Make a commitment to yourself to get your carpet cleaned.
Recommendation #2: List your objectives. Do you want only the dirt removed, something you can do with a rented machine or do you want it thoroughly cleaned by a professional.
Recommendation#3: Ask Questions. The way you learn about a company is to ask specific questions and listen carefully to the answers. Here are the questions I suggest you ask:
1. What method of carpet cleaning do you recommend?
2. What type of equipment do you use to clean carpet?
3. What does your equipment remove from my carpet?
4. How often should I get my carpets cleaned?
5. What training have you had in cleaning carpet?
6. Are you a member of any trade associations and, if so, which ones?
7. Are you certified by the IICRC and will you show me your certificate?
8. Do you guarantee your work?
Recommendation #4: Once you're satisfied that you're working with an honest, competent professional, invite him into your home and ask for a specific quotation in writing. A written quotation gives you assurance that you know exactly what the job will cost -- no surprises.
By following these four recommendations, you'll gain all the information you need to make an informed, intelligent decision. If you want a quick, cheap carpet job, many companies in the phone book can help you. Or you can rent a shampooer and do the job yourself.
But if you want your carpeting to be completely and thoroughly cleaned -- removing the bacteria, fungus, chemicals, pollens, and tobacco products -- then I invite you to call me at 580-583-1694.
Consumer Awareness:
